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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/23/1989 Council Minutes1 MAYOR'S ADDRESS TO COUNCIL JANUARY 23, 1989 Mayor Benson called the special session of the Lino Lakes City Council to order at 6:15 P.M., Monday, January 23, 1989. Council Members present: Neal, Bohjanen, Reinert, Bisel. City Administrator Randy Schumacher and Clerk- Treasurer Marilyn Anderson, were also present. Mayor Benson thanked everyone for taking the time this evening and explained that he wished to address the Council regarding several general issues. Mayor Benson stepped down to the podium for his address. UNITY Mayor Benson explained that since this is a new year the Council should look at the importance of pulling together. He noted that it is not important to think alike but to pull together regarding land issues, etc. He said he did not want to put the City in jeopardy and explained by listening more to each other and analyzing all materials this City will not be a loser. AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Benson noted that from time to time each Council Member will have something he feels is important for the total Council to address. These items should be given to the Administrator prior to the meeting so that the full Council can be prepared to address the issue. MONTHLY REPORT FROM ALL BOARDS Mayor Benson suggested that the liason to. each Board give a brief oral recap of what has happened during the month at that particular board meeting. This could be the opportunity for the Council to give further direction to that particular Board. Mayor Benson explained that minutes from all board meetings are given to the Council but the liason could give the flavor of what is happening within each board as well as long range plans and goals. If there is nothing to report then a report would not be forthcoming. He asked that there be a section on the agenda for oral reports by liasons. ADDRESSING THE CHAIR Mayor Benson asked that each Council Member address the Chair prior to speaking. He said he would like to give all members equal opportunity to speak to any particular issue and this would be the best method to assure that this would happen. Mayor Benson noted that people are impressed with Council meetings and wanted all the Council Members to have the opportunity to be heard and to finish their entire thought. Mr. Reinert explained this would show respect to the Chair. `Mayor Benson said for the sake of fairness, he would try and rotate the persons he recognizes so that at some time everyone will have the opportunity to speak first. He noted that this is not the U. S. Senate and would like to have input on the matter from the Council Members. PAGE 1 1 73 174 MAYOR'S ADDRESS TO COUNCIL JANUARY 23, 1989 DRESS CODE Mayor Benson said that the public is impressed by the Council and asked if a dress code should be considered for Council meetings. He explained that this would not be as important for other more informal meetings. Mr. Neal said that he does not like to wear a suit or sport coat since he felt this made him look like a bill collector. He noted that people feel freer to talk to him because he dresses more casual. Mr. Reinert said that when a Council member acts on official business, he represents the entire Council. He also noted that this may reflect a certain business like attitude. He felt the Council should be more formal. Mr. Bisel and Mr. Bohjanen agreed that a standard should be set. Mr. Neal said he did have a problem with this. POLICY MEETINGS WITH BOARDS Mayor Benson suggested that there be meetings with all boards and commissions on a quarterly basis. He also noted that he liked the idea of the meeting held on December 3, 1988 and suggested that this become an annual event. Meeting dates should be established well in advance so that members can plan their activites accordingly. Mayor Benson expressed a good feeling about the past meetings. Mr. Reinert suggested that quarterly meetings with all the boards and commission could become difficult. Mr. Bisel suggested that the annual meeting be held earlier in the fall, possibly late November. POLICE ADVISORY BOARD Mayor Benson explained that he felt this is something that the Council should seriously consider. His feelings are that this would not be a board to deal directly in-police activities, rather it would meet quarterly or however often they felt necessary to consider items that would help the Police Department better serve the community. It would provide citizen input into the department and also help make the community aware of what is happening in the Police Department. Businessmen members could help with ideas that would better serve the business community. The board would be just big enough to help the the department be more visable and more responsive. Mayor $enson said he has talked to Chief Campbell about this and noted that the Chief is happy to have a liason from the Council to turn to. Mr. Reinert said he has talked to Mr. Schumacher about this matter and noted that the members should not be persons who were on the old Police Task Force. He viewed this board as an outreach program that would bring concerns to the Chief. 1 1 Mayor Benson said creation of this board would require Council action. Mr. Bisel felt that according to the survey this fall, the 1 MAYOR'S ADDRESS TO COUNCIL JANUARY 23, 1989 public is satisfied with the Police Department. He expressed concern about how much involvement the City of Centerville should have with this board. Mr. Reinert suggested that the Centerville Police Liason could serve both circumstances. Mr. Bohjanen said he did not want anything like the previous Task Force. He hoped that this would not be a place for people to bring their gripes. Mayor Benson said he was not sure who should be appointed to this board from the community. Mr. Bisel asked Mayor Benson to provide a more detailed outline of the proposed board so that he could see what Mayor Benson had in mind. Mr. Neal said he would like to see an auxiliary police and fire department. He noted that there are people in the community that would like to be involved. Mayor Benson asked that each Council Member give him their suggestions on the creation of this board. FIRE DISTRICT JOINT COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Benson suggested that this Council establish guidelines for the Lino Lakes representatives to work within. These guidelines would include how far this City will bend on any particular issue. Mayor Benson said he feels Lino Lakes has a very important role in the negotiations and if we are not strong in our approach, we may lose the entire District. He noted that the appointment of the representatives is on the agenda this evening. Mr. Neal said the representatives should be people with open minds and noted that he has already formed his opinion. Mr. Bisel felt the Council should establish strong commitments amoung themselves and relay this to the representatives. Otherwise the Lino Lakes representatives will become - advocates of the program that is proposed by the Steering Committee whether or not this Council approves. Mr. Reinert suggested that the Council delay action on the selection of representatives until the Council has had a chance to meet and form their goals and objectives. The representatives can then be chosen on the basis of who will be most effective in representing Lino Lakes on these issues. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR CITY ADMINISTRATOR Mayor Benson asked that the Council set a meeting date tonight to set goals and guidelines for -the City Administrator so that he understands what the Council expects from him in 1989. He felt that it was important to not delay this meeting. Mr. Bohjanen moved to adjourn at 6:58 P.M. Mr. Bisel seconded the motion. Aye 175