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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/07/2014 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY,JANUARY 7, 2014 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Workshop - Heritage Room H Council Member Nelson was absent. I. APPOINTMENTS, 2014 SCHEDULE City Manager Rick Getschow reviewed proposed council meeting, workshop and commission recruitment schedules with the City Council. Getschow said he had plugged in some workshop topics based on discussions with City Council Members and staff, and asked the Council Members for other topics they would like added. Getschow said that Council Member Nelson had mentioned that she wants an update on the City's green and sustainable initiatives. He also said the Human Rights & Diversity Commission has requested to hold another Town Hall Meeting focused on the international community. Council Member Case noted he serves on the Fire Relief Association Board, and that group has been looking at possible changes to pension options. He said it might be a good idea for the City Council to have a joint meeting with Fire Relief Association Board. Chief Esbensen said the Fire Relief Association is interested in presenting an update to the City Council, which they have not done since 2010. Mayor Tyra-Lukens noted that a Town Hall Meeting for the business community is on the list of special meetings. She suggested holding that meeting at the new United Health Group site. Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah said the City and Chamber of Commerce will be conducting their semi-annual business survey this year, and the Business Town Hall Meeting might be a good venue to present the results. Case suggested reaching out to the international community to find a time that works well for them for the Town Hall Meeting. He said it is possible a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon would draw more participants. Council Member Aho said it will be important for the City Council to be updated on the aquatic expansion project. He said that could be done either at Council Meetings or in a City Council Workshop Minutes January 7, 2014 Page 2 Workshop. He specifically requested that the Council have the opportunity to review design plans and proposals before they go out to bid. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said it has been a long time since the City Council reviewed its vision for the City relating to design standards. Council Member Case said some of those types of discussions have taken place as part of other projects,but it has been disjointed. He said perhaps an overall branding discussion would be useful. Public Works Director Robert Ellis updated the Council on the schedule for painting water towers and the Westgate power line upgrade. Open Podium - Council Chamber II. OPEN PODIUM A. DON BUGBEE—GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD Don Bugbee, a resident of Thatcher Road, near the proposed Green Neighborhood project presented a list of resident concerns signed by a number of property owners. He said the neighborhood's concerns fall into three main categories: noise, traffic and density. Phillip Allmon said he also lives on Thatcher Road. He said he is concerned about the proposed development from a sociological point of view. City Manager Rick Getschow noted that Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah will be providing an update on the proposed project during the regular Council meeting. III. ADJOURNMENT