City 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.
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II . APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1.
Councilmember Redpath moved and Councilmember Anderson seconded to
approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0.
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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
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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 .
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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
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