CCP 06-11-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL— MAY 14, 2001 9 Councilmember Grant stated they are looking for direction. He noted in the past they have done work on sewer water rates and some good work consolidating trash hauling services and recycling into single day service. He added the group has a lot to offer and the Council should encourage them. He stated they are willing to work and asking what would the Council would like them to work on. Councilmember Rem stated one of the comments made was that they have not had a lot of direction from the Council. She noted they feel they have worked hard and their work has been set aside as the Council takes another direction. She added it is good to have resident input on issues. She noted a pavement management program is one thing that gets put on the back burner. She added it would be interesting to have someone not involved look at that process. She stated they could provide some recommendations on how to conduct the public information process. She noted that it is an area in which the city needs to make some progress. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she favors committees over a task force. She noted they shortchange themselves if the only committee they have is the Planning Commission. She added it would then be the only training ground for the Council. She stated obtaining the viewpoint of people who do not meet the Planning Commission requirements is important. She noted it would be good to have another group look at an issue and give recommendations back to the Council. She added they have already dropped two committees. She added she hears what Councilmember Larson is saying, but there are a lot of people willing to serve and it is good training. She stated they could help the city on how to do the road improvement program,which includes how to get it out to people so they understand it. She noted they could utilize them to talk to the community and use the Committee to get people organized. Councilmember Larson stated is not speaking against public participation. He noted they have had more people involved over the last two years because of task forces. He added if one looks at the committee membership, it is the same people saying the same things. He stated he thinks. a task force disciplines the city to come up with a specific charge. Mayor Probst stated there is a fundamental difference. He noted the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee has taken an active role making recommendations about the parks. He added they have taken it upon themselves to take look at parks and make capital budget recommendations. Councilmember Aplikowski stated the Pavement Management Program (PMP) issue is the same thing. She noted they have not let the Committee do it. She asked why they should not transfer that power back to that committee. Councilmember Grant stated with the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee it is clear what the scope of their work is. He noted when one looks at the Operation and Finance Committee; it runs the whole gamut of the city. He stated this group of talented individuals has asked in what area the Council would like them to specialize. He noted if the Council wants to define narrowly one specific issue like a task force,the Committee would be agreeable. He added they want to be of value to the city.