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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2D, Public Inquiries EN HILLS Request for Council Action 2D Prepared By: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator Work Session Date: March 19, 2012 Public Inquiries Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: NA NA NA Discussion Topic: Public comments and inquires. Supporting Documents: 1. Memorandum from Patrick Klaers, City Administrator, dated March 19,2012. 2. Pages 5-6 of the draft February 21, 2012,Work Session Meeting minutes. ,-�A EjNHILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: March 19, 2012 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Adm' o +% SUBJECT: Public Inquiries Public Inquiries/Information Mayor Grant requested that this item be on the agenda for Council discussion. This topic was last discussed by the Council at the February 21, 2012 work session. Attached are pages 5 and 6 of the draft February 21, 2012 work session minutes when this issue was discussed. P:\Admin\Council\Agendas&Packet Information\2012\03-19-12 Joint Wk Sess\Packet Information\D,Public Inquiries.doe ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 21, 2012 5 Councilmember Holden asked if EDA funds could be loaned or granted to the Arden Square Building to assist with facade improvements. Mr. Bubul stated this could be done to assist with painting and other exterior improvements for businesses in the community. Mayor Grant thanked staff and Mr. Bubul for the information provided this evening and for the discussion held by the Council. He recommended the bylaws be reviewed and that the EDA meet at least annually from this point forward. B. Public Inquiries/Information Mayor Grant stated that at the last work session, the Council discussed the Public Inquiries/Informational item on the agenda. He understood the value of communication with the public but did not want to hold public hearings at each Council meeting, for each item the public wishes to discuss. He suggested action items on the C.r"cil agendas be allowed for public comment,both for and against. Mayor Grant stated that all the other discussion iths that r -Rive public comments should be for no longer than three minutes. This would ow ;Ihe public to address the Council with concerns while not monopolizing the meetings. He us in favor of establishing ground rules and that the Council remains consistent. He reviewed infnation received from LMC stating some cities allow for comments only on non-agend .jij;atezj< hle other cities take all comments. The LMC does recommend time limits for public co ents. Mayor Grant then requested the Co> cil $ ..-the issue further and come to an agreement on how to deal with public comments/nclus,, Councilmember Holmes state.:.she did not feel the public would appreciate there being a difference between issues the Col and has not studied. She agreed with the three minute time limit as that provided a fair play field for all public comments. Councilmember Tamble felt there was not enough public testimony to further regulate this issue. He indicated issues will arise from time to time when the public would have emotional testimony to offer to the Council. He stated sticking to the three minute time limit would be beneficial. Councilmember Holden was in favor of reducing the public inquiries time limit to two minutes. She felt the public offered a great deal of history to the Council through their comments. Councilmember Holmes commented she was in favor of allowing the public to speak. Mayor Grant suggested the Council address this again further at a future meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 21, 2012 6 C. Parks Trails &Recreation Committee Goals and Work Plan The following PTRC Committee members were present at the meeting: PTRC Chair Cindy Garretson, John Peck, Phil Kramlinger, Steve Scott, Harold Petersen, Nancy O'Malley, Chuck Michaelson, and Rich Straumann. Also in attendance, PTRC candidate Jane Larson. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson indicated the PTRC members were present this evening to hold a joint meeting to discuss goals, and work plans for 2012. The Committee put together a presentation for the Council to review. PTRC Chair Cindy Garretson thanked the Council for their time this evening and reviewed the committee's purpose and mission. Committee Member O'Malley reviewed the Committee's ongoing/as needed goals. She noted the PTRC was hoping to further interact and gain input from the public; and was hoping to host a booth at"Celebrating Arden Hills." Councilmember Holden stated the park and recreation>'tra% Plan was almost 15 years old. She questioned if revisions were planned and if priorities..-...ad changd Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated tlepn was a 20 year plan and the PTRC had updated that vision in 2009 within the Compre�:ensive P1n(2030). Mayor Grant asked what vision the PTRC,had` >this time, and how the PTRC was taking action from that vision. Committee Member O'Malley indica' dWimuch of the PTRC's vision was taken from the priority trail segments. The vision was al-96 out1- .ed'n the goals. Committee Member Michelson' :laied much of this was dependent on the funds available to complete the trail segments and park r":iprovements. Committee Member Peck stated the first PTRC 2012 goal is to research,review, and recommend approval of the following projects: bench implementation and placement program, trail maintenance plan, and Hazelnut irrigation plan. He stated the residents have provided positive feedback on the benches. The trail maintenance plan was a carryover item from 2011. Staff has created a draft plan which will be reviewed and forwarded to the Council in 2012. Committee Member Peck explained the PTRC recommends irrigating both the soccer and baseball fields at Hazelnut Park. The City has ownership of the parcel at this time. These fields would greatly benefit from routine watering due to the intense use of the fields. He indicated the PTRC was pleased with the results of the 2010 irrigation at Cummings Park. Councilmember Holden questioned if the PTRC considered planting more trees in the City's parks.