03-13-12 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2012
Present: Mayar Harris and Council Members, Clausen, Pentel and Scanlon, City Manager
Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Director of Publie Works Jeannine Clancy, Director
of Parks and Recreation Rick Jacobson, Park Maintenance Supervisor AI Lundstrom. Also
present were, Hennepin County Director of Transportation and County Engineer Jim
Grube, Consultant Jupe Hale, WSB &Associates and Administrative Assistant Lisa
Wittman. Council Member Freiberg was absent.
The meeting began at 7 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Douglas Drive Project
Jeannine Ctancy gave a brief history of the project and introduced Hennepin County
Director of Transportation and County Engineer Jim Grube and Jupe Hale from WSB &
Associates. Clancy explained that the resolution for municipal consent adopted by the
Council in November 2011 asked staff to review the lane widths and boulevard widths to
determine if reductions in these areas could be made to reduce right of way impact while
keeping in made the vision set for the corridor through an extensive community process.
Hale referred to a map of the project area and explained that the corridor is divided into
three distinct portions representing different traffic volumes and different land uses. He
discussed vehicle lane widths, bicycle lane widths, trail and sidewalk widths and baulevard
widths, as well as intersection control that have been incorporated into #he design.
Mayar Harris asked about installing a temporary crosswalk at the Olympia intersection.
Jim Grube explained that great care must be taken when installing crosswalks because
crosswalks can provide a false sense of security. He said he would be very reluctant to
install a crosswalk in this location. Mayor Harris said he would like staff to reach out to the
management of the apartments on Douglas Drive in order to address their concerns
related to pedestrian movement. The Council consensus was that contacting the
management of the apartments wauld be acceptable.
Human Rights Commission
Due to the fact that Council Member Freiberg was not in attendance, the Council decided
to postpone this issue to a future Council/Manager meeting.
Commission/Board Appointment Process
Tom Burt explained that the proposed Policy Guidelines for Gommission/Board
Appointments and Procedures are being proposed to assist in streamlining the
appointment of Gommissioners and Board members.
The Council discussed the praposed guidelines, past recruitment processes, whether to
interview incumbents, if there should be term limits, if they should conduct exit interviews
how they could put feedback from past Commissioners/Board members inta practice and
attendance issues.
After discussion, Tom Burt said he would send the Council Members copies of the old and
new policies for their review prior to continuing discussion and adoption of the Guidelines.
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March 13, 2012 — Page 2
Bottineau Transitway Informational Meeting
Tom Burt stated that he has not heard consensus on whether or not the Council wants to
hold an informational meeting ta hear resident comments concerning the Bottineau
Transitway project.
The Council discussed having a meeting for residents to express their views. After
discussion, Tom Burt said he would ask Hennepin County for a letter indicating if the
project would go forward if there is one dissenting community. The Cauncil also asked that
an article be put in the City newsletter to let people know the status and timeline for county
consideration of the transitway.
Turf Management Proposal
Jeannine Clancy explained that staff has evaluated turf management areas in several
parks and open spaces and is recommending that the mowing schedule be reduced in
various passive recreational areas located within the Gity's park system. She added that
the Environmental Commission and Open Space and Recreation Gommission have also
reviewed this proposal.
AI Lundstrom reviewed maps of several parks and nature areas and discussed the areas
where reduced turf management is recommended.
Council Member Pentel expressed concern about the fairness of allowing the City to have
areas of un-mowed grass when it is difficult for residents to plant native grasses on their
property. She said she feels this proposal could be prablematic and suggested that there
be significant outreach to the residents. Lundstrom agreed that a communication plan and
public pracess should be developed. He also noted that the proposal could start on a
smaller scale.
After discussion, the consensus was to have staff talk to people wha would be affected by
this proposed change and to consider starting the turf management proposal on a small
scale, then report back to the Council.
Goal Setting Follow-up (continued)
Tom Burt explained that the information from workshops held on January 21 and February
15 has been organized into three groups: Community Connections, Cooperative
Agreements for Service, and Infrastructure Improvements.
The Council reviewed and discussed several of their goals that were discussed at their
previous workshops. They would also like to see reports from staff updating them on
neighborhood watch groups and the housing maintenance program.
Council Training
Council Member Scanlon suggested that the Council have a training session on Planning
items including: the Camprehensive Plan, zoning, the role of the Planning Commission
and Council and the Council's authority in land use matters. There was also discussion
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March 13, 2012 — Page 3
regarding training thaf would help explain the Plan B form of Government and the
relationship it sets forth between the Council and City Manager.
Mayor Harris suggested the Gouncil have a discussion on how the City could take a more
active role at the Legislature.
The meeting adjourned at 11:22 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant