01-03-2012 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 3, 2012 APPROVED 46 metro, including MUSA, while the northern metro (especially Anoka County) continued 47 to maintain most of the area's natural resources (including water resources). Anoka 48 County in fact is the water recharger for the entire metro area especially since much of the 49 wetland in the southern metro was drained for development. It's important to think 50 regionally and to have a healthy and competitive environment throughout the region and 51 one that protects natural resources. The program also has a historical link to the Mall of 52 America development whereby funds were directed for that infrastructure and continue to 53 be. The bottom line is that there is a study coming back to the State Legislature on the 54 topic of fiscal disparities and Anoka County is recommending (and asking cities to join 55 their voice) in recommending that the process of reviewing fiscal disparities be long and 56 thoughtful and not be handled during the upcoming short session. 57 58 The council will consider a resolution at their meeting on January 9 supporting the 59 current fiscal disparities program. 60 61 3. Street Reconstruction Issues update—Community Development Director 62 Grochala explained that his written report outlines his review of street reconstruction 63 issues in the city going back to 1991. He discussed the issues included in his report 64 relating to process, financing and design. The Mayor suggested that both a flow chart 65 indicating the many different levels of process to be considered as well as a list of how 66 road reconstruction needs are judged would be helpful. He feels the council wants to 67 improve the process and really needs information to have that discussion. They need to 68 work on problem areas and find a way to make improvements. The Mayor also noted that 69 water improvements in projects shouldn't necessarily be stopping road reconstruction 70 since each individual area is different and requires separate consideration in that area. 71 Mr. Grochala added that sewer is the more important element however in the past the 72 water question has been raised as a safety issue by the area fire department. The council 73 discussed the schedule for getting a project or an amendment on the ballot this year. Mr. 74 Grochala noted that although financial (feasibility)plans are in place for some areas, they 75 would have to be updated; he added that even the Pavement Management Plan should be 76 reviewed as part of any evaluation project. 77 78 The council discussed the concept of a task force that includes members of the Charter 79 Commission (3) as well as council members (2) and representatives of the city's advisory 80 boards (4). A facilitator is a possibility and it was suggested that former council member 81 Kathi Gallup be asked to join the task force also. Staff was directed to request charter 82 commission participation. 83 84 4. Park Complex—Public Services Director DeGardner noted that the Park Board 85 has discussed grant funding opportunities at their past two meetings. They have heard 86 from some professionals on the availability of grant funds and information on those 87 discussions is included in his staff report. He suggested that in discussing funding for a 88 city park complex, it boils down to the fact that the city would have to designate some 89 funds to get things started. He understands that the current economy is a factor in the 90 ability to do that. He thinks that if the area of I-35E develops, that will bring in some 2