City Council - 01/03/2012 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JANUARY 3, 2012 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(5:30 p.m.)
Council Member Nelson was absent.
I. 2012 SCHEDULE AND APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Tyra-Lukens called the meeting to order. City Manager Rick Getschow handed
out the proposed schedule of City Council meetings and workshops, as well as a list of
2012 appointments the Council will make at their regular meeting later in the evening.
The schedule includes several special meetings, including town hall meetings with
targeted audiences — seniors, the business community and the immigrant community.
Getschow asked the City Council for input on the proposed schedule.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens noted that the proposed date for the town hall meeting with the
immigrant community (August 16) falls during Ramadan. The City Council agreed to
move the meeting to Thursday, August 23. Council Member Aho pointed out that the
proposed date for commission interviews (February 23) is the same night the Southwest
Transit Board meets. Commission interviews were rescheduled to Tuesday, February 28.
There was general agreement on the schedule of regular council meetings.
Council Member Case said the Comcast cable franchise agreement, which is current in
negotiation, will probably have to be addressed at either a workshop or Council meeting
in the next few months. Case also suggested moving the proposed workshop with the
School Board up to the first quarter of this year, since there is a new Board and they have
expressed interest in meeting with the City Council. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked whether
or not the status of the C.H. Robinson lease at City Center merits a workshop this year.
Council Member Butcher Wickstrom expressed interest in passing her appointment to the
Southwest Transit Board to another Council Member. City Attorney Rosow noted that
the Southwest Transit Board appointment that is up for renewal is for the citizen
representative, which is currently held by Mayor Tyra-Lukens. Council Member Butcher
Wickstrom holds the elected official seat. It was agreed that Mayor Tyra-Lukens will
serve out Council Member Butcher Wickstrom's term in the elected official spot and
Council Member Aho will be appointed to the citizen representative spot.
City Council Workshop Minutes
January 3, 2012
Page 2
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said City Manager Rick Getschow's one-year anniversary with the
City is coming up in March. She said she would like his first performance review to be
handled by an outside consultant. She suggested that staff contact Harry Brull, who
coordinated the previous city manager's reviews, to see if he is interested.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens would also like the City Council to discuss Council salaries
sometime early this year. It has been eight years since the Council has had a raise,
although the $35 per diem meeting pay was eliminated in 2010. She asked that staff
collect information about compensation from comparable communities. Council Member
Butcher Wickstrom also asked for clarification on reimbursement for internet. Getschow
said that policy will have to be formalized by ordinance.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked about the status of the inflow and infiltration inspection
program. Public Works Director Ellis said most home inspections have been completed,
with the exception of about 30 stragglers. Remediation measures are currently about 50
percent complete.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30 p.m.)
II. BASIL WISSNER
Wissner presented two suggestions to the City Council. First,he said the City Council
can save money by holding only one meeting per month. He also suggested holding
workshops immediately before the regular Council meeting, and moving them into the
Council Chambers. Wissner also said it is time for the City Council to seriously consider
imposing special service fees on non-profits. He said many non-profits bring in a lot of
funds and can afford to contribute toward funding City services.
II. ADJOURNMENT