HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/12/1981 - Special Meeting EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED MINUTES
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MONDAY. JANUARY 12, 1981 SPECIAL MEETING 7:30 PM, CITY HALL
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COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Wolfgang Penzel , George Bentley, Dean , .
Edstrom, Paul Redpath and George Tangen
COUNCIL STAFF PRESENT: Acting City Manager John Frane; Keith Wall
and Bob Tyson, Department of Public Safety;
and Karen Michael , Recording Secretary.
Mayor Penzel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He asked that in addition
to discussing the resumes for City Manager that two additional items be added:
John Frane's report on the progress on tax increment districts; and, the first
item to be taken up, a canine squad.
CANINE SQUAD: Mayor Penzel told about the effectiveness of the canine squad in
agZ� an. — It is used only when needed -- the dogs are sent in when there is a break-
in, during times of labor unrest, in checking warehouses, etc. The Chaska dog
i was used very effectively in Eden Prairie last year during the Roll Tank strike.
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Keith Wall explained that the Crime Fund people have offered to fund the canine
corps for its first year which presents the City with a unique opportunity. Training
is available locally in St. Paul and this training will probably not be available in
the area after this year. This cuts down on the costs as other training facilities
are located on the East and West coasts. The St. Paul program costs $1,000 which
includes the cost of the dog and the training and is a combination community relations/
street dog program. The dogs are carefully screened and are only accepted into the
program if they will be good with kids as well as able to do warehouse duty. The Crime
Fund would pick up the cost of the training and the cost of the kennel which will be
located at an officer' s home as well as the first year' s dog food and veterinarian's
fees. Wall estimated the cost after the first year to be about $1,000. The police
officer in charge of the dog would be the dog's handler and trainer and would be
given four hours a week in compensatory time off because he would be responsible for
daily training of the dog. He said there are a number of communities now looking into
canine squad programs including Shakopee, New Prague, Savage. The Public Safety Depart-
ment feels the time is ripe for this type of program.
MOTION: Tangen moved, seconded by Redpath, to authorize the Public Safety Department
to proceed with the canine squad program. Motion carried unanimously.
LEGAL MATTERS: Acting City Manager John Frane brought the Council up to date on what
has transpired since the January 6th Council meeting.
WATER PLANT EXPANSION: This coming year we expect to begin the expansion of the
water plant. This means the Department of Public Safety will lose its home.
Mayor Penzel recommended that each Councilman tour the new Public Safety Building.
in Eagan as this building has been extremely well thought out - from the materials
used on the walls to a closed circuit tv system used to monitor the building as
well as a video tape system used mainly to record the actions of drunks. Bentley
asked at what noint de tie start seriously to pursue something? Penzel said that
it should be quite soon as it will take from 3 - 6 mnnths to design a building..
The concensus was to direct staff to proceea on tni s Acting City Manager
Frane explained that a referendum will be necessary this year on the continuance
of liquor and that might be the time to bring up the building matter. Frane also
explained that the City is now in the process of buying land adjacent to City Hall
with options on more acreage.
Special City Council Meeting _2_ January 12, 1981
CITY MANAGER RESUMES: Those receiving "yes" votes on the first round were: 1, 3,
, 6, . 8, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22. 23, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 44, 45, 46. 53, 619
and 62. Those receiving "no" votes on the first round were: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, . 120
13, 14, 16, 17. 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 48, 49, 50,. 51,
52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64, and 65.
Mayor Penzel and Councilman Bentley submitted questions they had drafted. They
are as follows:
1. What is your management philosophy?
2. What is your role vis-a-vis the Council , Staff and residents?
3. What is Eden Prairie's role in the Metro contex?
4. What is your view of the relationship of organized labor and the City? j
5. What is your approach to budgeting?
6. What should the impact of local government be on the residents?
7. What level of personal staff do you require?
8. What is your knowledge of Eden Prairie, or conversely, what would you like to know?
9. How would you finance major improvements?
10. Submit standard personnel form.
1. What is your philosophy on establishing a budget?
2. To what extent do you believe the City should get involved in encouraging development?
• 3. What is your philosophy on personnel management?
4. Generally speaking, what is your approach to labor negotiations?
5. What: role do you see for yourself in relationship to the City Council , the staff,
and the community?
6. What major attribute would you bring with you if you were selected as City Manager?
7. What do you see as your major weaknesses?
8. Why do you want the job as City Manager in Eden Prairie?
Edstrom added: What are the most significant challenges municipalities will face in the
1980's?
Penzel added: How soon will you be available?
These questions will be discussed further at the January 22nd meeting.
MOTION: Redpath moved, seconded by Bentley, to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM.
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