Title
City Council Workshop Minutes for September 1, 2011
Body
UNAPPROVED
CITY OF BLAINE
ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
WORKSHOP
CITY COUNCIL MEETING NO. 11-47
Thursday, September 1, 2011
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Bourke, Clark, Herbst, Hovland, Kolb, Swanson, and Mayor Ryan.
ABSENT: None.
Quorum Present.
ALSO PRESENT: Clark Arneson, City Manager; Bryan Schafer, Community Development Director; Bob Therres, Public Services Manager; Chris Olson, Public Safety Manager/Police Chief; Joe Huss, Finance Director; Thomas Sweeney, City Attorney; Roark Haver, Communications Technician; Catherine Ekstrand, Deputy City Clerk; Rebecca Olson, Executive Assistant; and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist.
County Road 10 Renaming Taskforce Discussion
City Manager Arneson reported that during the May 25th tri-city meeting at Moundsview City Hall, the City Councils of Moundsview, Blaine and Spring Lake Park decided to form a citizen task force to study the idea of renaming County Road 10. The task force would recommend a consistent name for the roadway which passes through all three cities. Task force membership would be similar to the following:
· Two business representatives from each city, preferably businesses located on County Road 10
· One resident representative from each city.
· One council member from each city.
The formal number of task force members would be limited; although anyone would be welcomed to attend the task force meetings.
City Manager Arneson mentioned Coon Rapids is not in favor of renaming County Road 10.
Mayor Ryan suggested the name of Northtown Drive because Northtown Mall is the biggest business on the street.
Councilmember Swanson suggested the road should be Coon Rapids Boulevard the whole way.
Councilmember Kolb volunteered to participate on the task force depending on the meeting night.
City Manager Arneson stated the businesses along County Road 10 will be included on the task force. He asked the Council to submit names of residents for the task force. Mr. Arneson stated the task force will start in the fall and he plans to let the City of Moundsview take the lead.
Resident Survey Discussion
City Manager Arneson reported that at the August 11th Workshop, staff brought forward a proposal from Springsted, Inc. to conduct a city-wide random-sample survey of registered voters living in Blaine. The cost of that proposal was $22,600. At that meeting, Council directed staff to look at getting other quotes for conducting a resident survey for the City.
He stated the staff received a quote from Decision Resources, Ltd. Decision Resources was the firm the City selected in 1997 and 2002 to conduct resident surveys. The proposal received from Decision Resources includes a random sample of 400 residents that are validated against the most recent U.S. Census population characteristic data. The cost of the survey is based on the sample size as well as the length of the questionnaire. To conduct a survey of 400 residents with 50 questions would cost $12,500. Each additional question unit beyond the initial allotment would be $135. The typical city survey is generally between 110 and 150 questions with an estimated cost of between $16,000 and $22,000. He noted that included in the meeting materials is a sample survey of residential and businesses from Lakeville which cost $30,000.
Councilmember Kolb stated the Decision Resources' 150 questions survey is more comprehensive survey for the same amount of money compared to Springsted's 47 question survey. Discussion took place on the additional expenses that were included in Springsted's proposal.
City Manager Arneson responded Springsted's additional expenses would not be much because one of the representatives is a Blaine resident.
Councilmember Swanson asked about the listing of cell phone numbers on the Census. City Manager Arneson responded the first question that is asked is, "are you a Blaine resident." Councilmember Herbst clarified that the survey will be just residences and not business. Mayor Ryan confirmed the survey is for residents only. He commented that Blaine has never surveyed the businesses.
City Manager Arneson stated he will ask Springsted and Decision Resources to attend an upcoming workshop meeting.
Councilmember Clark stated he is not a fan of Decision Resources because of the survey that was conducted on the Blaine Community Center. City Manager Arneson commented both Springsted and Decision Resources are experienced in doing surveys for cities. Councilmember Clark stated he will research survey companies and give the results to City Manager Arneson.
Councilmember Swanson asked when the survey will be conducted and asked if the results would be used for the budget.
Councilmember Kolb stated the last survey company was given the questions and did what the City asked.
Councilmember Clark asked if the City needs the survey results to pass the budget, if so the timeline is very tight. He stated let's take time and get a surveying company that has a better instrument.
Councilmember Herbst stated he would like to include the businesses in the survey.
Councilmember Kolb stated she would like to see the questions and costs from other survey companies. She would also like to see the questions from other cities.
Councilmember Clark stated the Council should write our own questions. Councilmember Swanson would like to have the survey done before the budget. He is not interested in benchmarking Blaine's residents to other cities; although he would like to see the benchmarking of businesses.
Councilmember Kolb stated the budget is determined and the direction of the budget is ready.
Councilmember Hovland stated we should take our time and include the business community in the survey. Councilmember Mike Bourke stated a survey conducted next year would be better. Mayor Ryan reminded the Council that next year is a major election year.
Councilmember Kolb commented you don't know if the resident votes or not, but we still represent all residents.
City Manager Arneson stated he will research more surveyor companies and bring back proposals to an upcoming workshop.
OTHER BUSINESS
Communications Technician Haver stated the City will use the new Legistar automated agenda program starting with the September 15th meeting. He stated Legistar is efficient with the program automatically populating information from the various committees onto the Council's agenda and will interface with the videotaping of meetings. He commented that Legistar will assist the City in its goal of being transparent.
Councilmember Clark confirmed that Legistar will be used starting with the September 15th meeting, but will not be used for past meetings. Communications Technician Haver responded yes.
Executive Assistant Olson stated a sample packet from July is available to review. She stated Legistar's features will be rolled out piece by piece. She stated Legistar can be used as a research tool and will have direct links to all meeting materials.
Councilmember Clark asked if the Council meeting recordings are edited. Communications Technician Haver responded no, the meetings are recorded onto a DVD and is not edited in any way.
Discussion took place on not printing hard copies of the meeting materials and using computers or iPads at the meetings.
The workshop was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.