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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/27/1986 - Special Meeting M I N U T E S SPECIAL EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1986 9:00 AM, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARDROOM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Gary Peterson, Richard Anderson, George Bentley, Patricia Pidcock, and Paul Redpath EXECUTIVE MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SPACE: Rich Anderson, Gene Haberman, Marty Jessen and Jean Myers CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Assistant to the City Manager Craig Dawson ROLL CALL - All members present except for Jean Myers. I . CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 9:07 AM. a II . APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. Councilmember Redpath moved and Councilmember Anderson seconded to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0. 1 III . DISCUSSION ON THE CHARGE TO _THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR CITY ADMINISTRATI�IE OFFICE SPACE Peterson expressed appreciation of the Council that the members of the Executive Committee were willing to serve the community in the quest for a new City Hall. He said that there were many opinions arnonn tho f'n:"ri 1 and tfie rommiini ty ahnut why the May 6. 1986 referendum failed, but that no consensus had emerged about the ' primary reasons for the failure. He related the Courncil 's belief that it could not reach a decision respected by the community within a two to three year period. Peterson noted that a City Hall is not the easiest public improvement to have approved by a community. The community needs to have wide representation on the committee and must be driven by community members - not Council nor staff. Within the next week, the Executive Committee would have to submit names for nomination and appointment by the Council for twelve positions on the committee. Executive CommI ttee members were also urged to encourage any other persons in the community for the remaining eight positions on the committee. Councilmember Pidcock asked if the choices of the Executive Committee would be approved as recommended by the Committee or if the Council would debate them. It was the consensus of the Council that nominations would not be debated. Anderson wanted - 2 - the committee to be concerned that some particular groups, e.g., Seniors and the Historical Society, have some representation or voice on the committee. Pidcock said that the committee should LL have a goal of having all segments of the community represented if they so wished to be. Gene Haberman wondered if the eight at-large committee members would not result in under- or over-representation by some groups after the committee selects its twelve members. Marty Jessen said that the committee needed to develop a framework for representation and then to have nominees. Redpath wished to make it clear that it not appear that each organization in the community needs to be or is entitled to be represented. He noted that many good people are not in organizations. Councilmemmber Bentley said he would rather see segments of the population represented. Rich Anderson stated that information is needed from staff and the Referendum Committee. He wished to have further historical information about buildings which have been used as the Village and City Halls. He and others discussed how the effort of the committee is a market research effort. These efforts would include finding out who voted and why they voted the way they did, finding those who did not vote and why not, and what educational efforts are necessary to make the City Hall issue properly understood by residents. Bentley suggested that committee members also interview Councilmembers, individually. Haberman asked why the leasing option was not given to the committee to study. Bentley said that the Council always had the option to lease; it needs the committee effort on a building option. Jessen mentioned that it would be within the purview of the committee to recommend that the building not be constructed for a number of years. Haberman said that the committee should also explore the purchase of existing buildings. Bentley said that he hoped he would be able to agree with all of the recommendations of the committee, but he reserved the right to make the final decision. Pidcock said that she disagreed with Bentley's i statemner.L. Redpa hl rewarkeu that the Council is ultimately responsible for making the final decision on this issue. Anderson said he would } hesitate to have all of the effort put forth by committee members without some certainty of the caliber of the committee's recommendations and without the full backing of the Council . Jessen asked if Councilmembers had set preferences about a site, and if so those preferences should be stated because the site issue is likely to be the most controversial . Councilmembers said that the committee had a clean slate in selecting a site. Jessen also wanted additional information about upcoming referenda by the City and School District and potential new levy impact of them. He asked that any financial and budget forecasting by the City be made available so that the window in the mill rate could be identified so that a bond issue would be affordable. Redpath stated that the City's needs need to be addressed independently of School District needs because the City's issues were equally critical . a - 3 - Redpath moved and Pidcock seconded to establish a S500-00 treasury for the committee for incidential expenses which would be approved by the City Manager or his designee. The motion passed 5-0. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. 1st November Meeting Bentley moved and Redpath seconded that the Council 's November 4, 1986 meeting begin at 8:00 PM. Motion passd 5-0. V. ADJOURNMENT. Redpath mowed and Pidcock seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 AM. Motion passed 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Craig W. Dawson Recording Secretary 0.,_