HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 04-03 CCP Work Session •
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 3, 2000
6:00 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM B
1. Training on e-mail and voice mail systems
2. Finalize arrangements for mock council meetings with Brooklyn Center schools
3. Council Member Nelson: Park & Recreation Commission items
4. Reimbursement for materials: Council Member Nelson
5. Discussion of Joint Meeting with Charter Commission: June 28th as possible date
6. Discussion of Civic Center Building Options
7. Report on meeting with Sharing & Caring Hands
8. Miscellaneous
9. Adjourn
City of Brooklyn Center
A great place to start. A great place to stay.
To: Mayor Kragness and Council Members Hilstrom, Lasman, Nelson and Peppe
From: Michael J. McCauley
City Manager
Date: March 28, 2000
Re: Voice Mail and e-mail training
Ms. Hartwig will provide instruction regarding the use of City voice mail and e-mail at the work
session. Please fill out the information for the voice mail standard greeting on the attached form.
Voice mail numbers will be included in the upcoming City Watch. We will discuss the timing for
e -mail activation with you.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 -2199 • City Hall & TDD Number (612) 569 -3300
Recreation and Community Center Phone & TDD Number (612) 569 -3400 • FAX (612) 569 -3494
An Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunities Employer
VOICE MAIL STANDARD GREETING INFORMATION FORM
The following bold type will be the standard greeting for mayor and council member voice mail.
To assist staff with the recording of your greeting, please provide information or preferences
where indicated by "4 "
"You have reached the voice mail of Brooklyn Center Mayor /Council Member (NAME).
4 Name:
Mayor /Council Member (NAME) does not keep business hours at City Hall, but s/he does
check voice mail every (FREOUENCY).
4 When will you be checking for voice mail messages (i.e. every evening, on certain
days of the week, etc.)?
S/he will respond to your message within at day(s).
4 How long should a caller plan to wait for your response?
If you have a concern that cannot wait, (A and/or B).
4 Please choose the option(s) you would like:
❑ A) you may try to contact Mayor /Council Member (NAME) at
(ALTERNATIVE LOCATION) at (PHONE NUMBER). Again, that
number is (PHONE, N JMBER).
If you chose this option please provide the following:
Alternative location:
Phone number for alternative location:
❑ B) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on regular business days, you may
press "0" for a receptionist.
If you would like to leave a message for Mayor /Council Member (NAME), please speak
slowly and distinctly, and leave your name, phone number and a brief message after the
tone."
City of Brooklyn Center
Policy on Council Use of Electronic Mail and Voice Mail
I. Support and Training
A. City staff will provide user training to the City Council for electronic mail (e -mail)
and voice mail.
B. City staff will provide user support during normal business hours, only for
equipment, software and communication facilities belonging to the City.
II. City Systems Use
A. Computer equipment, computer programs and communication facilities connected to
the City network are to be used for purposes of the City. They may not be used for
any commercial or political purposes.
B. Users may not use City facilities to communicate to others material that is obscene,
indecent, or patently offensive in the workplace.
III. Electronic Mail
A. The City will reimburse each Council Member up to $19.95 per month for an
Internet service provider that provides access to electronic mail (e- mail). The City
will advance the reimbursement to Council Members at the beginning of each year.
To qualify for reimbursement, each Council Member will submit proof of payment to
an Internet service provider by December 15 of the year in which reimbursement
occurred. Proof of payment will be in the form of a billing statement or receipt. In
the case that payments that do not total the reimbursed amount, the difference will
be subtracted from the Council Member's last check of the year.
B. Each Council Member will be responsible for selecting his/her own Internet service
provider and for maintaining his/her own subscription to the service.
C. The City will not purchase for Council Members any additional equipment or
services, such as personal computers or phone lines, that are required for e-mail
access.
D. The MIS/Technology Coordinator will assign each Council Member an official City
e -mail address (i.e. councilmemberJastname @ci.brooklyn- center.mn.us) in Novel
GroupWise. Novel GroupWise will be accessed by Council Members through the
Internet.
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E. The official City e-mail address will be used only by the Council Member to whom it
is assigned.
F. The primary purpose of the official e-mail address will be to communicate with
Council Members, constituents and City staff.
G. It is the nature of most e-mail systems that the security of messages cannot be
guaranteed; therefore, users should not use e-mail to transmit messages containing
data that must be kept secure.
H. Users should exercise good judgement in both the type of message created and in the
tone and content of messages. E -mail messages must be able to withstand public
scrutiny without embarrassment to the City if messages are forwarded beyond the
intended recipients, accessed or inadvertently disclosed, subpoenaed in a legal
action, or otherwise made public. Users should use generally accepted standards of
business conversation in their e-mail messages.
I. Users should be aware that communications using e-mail fall under the guidelines of
the Data Practices Act.
J. Electronic mail is intended as a medium for fast communication, not a medium for
storage of valuable files. Users should save and file important e-mail messages in
other applications.
IV. Voice Mail
A. The MIS/Technology Coordinator will assign each Council Member an official City
voice mail box.
B. Each Council Member will complete a Voice Mail Greeting Information Form that
will indicate individual greeting preferences.
C. City staff will be responsible for recording each Council Member's voice mail
greeting using the guidelines set forth in the attached Voice Mail Standard Greeting
Information Form and the Voice Mail Alternate Greeting Information Form.
Council Members may request that staff record an alternate greeting when the
Council Member will not be checking voice mail for an extended period.
D. Each Council Member will be responsible for checking his/her voice mail with the
frequency s/he indicates on the Voice Mail Standard Greeting Information Form
unless s/he has requested that his/her voice mail be programmed with an alternate
greeting and has submitted to the City Clerk the attached Voice Mail Alternate
Greeting Information Form.
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E. Long distance telephone charges that accrue when a Council Member checks his/her
official City voice mail will be reimbursed by the City. The Council Member must
submit documentation of the charges in the form of a billing statement or receipt.
3
VOICE MAIL ALTERNATE GREETING INFORMATION FORM
The following bold type will be the alternate greeting for mayor and council member voice mail.
If you are not planning to check your voice mail with the frequency indicated on your standard
greeting, please complete this form and submit it to the City Clerk Insert the appropriate
information at each "4".
-� On what date do you want the alternate greeting to begin?
-► On what date do you want your voice mail to return to your standard greeting?
"You have reached the voice mail of Brooklyn Center Mayor /Council Member (NAME).
4 Name:
Mayor /Council Member (NAME) will not be checking his/her voice mail until (DATEl.
- On what date will you be checking for voice mail messages?
S/he will respond to your message as soon as possible after that time. If you have a concern
that cannot wait, and you are calling between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on a regular
business day, you may press "0" for a receptionist. If you would like to leave a message for
Mayor /Council Member (NAME), please speak slowly and distinctly, and leave your name,
phone number and a brief message after the tone."
City of Brooklyn Center
A great place to start. A great place to stay.
To: Mayor Kragness and Co cil Members Hilstrom, Lasman Nelson and Peppe
From: Michael J. McCauley
City Manager
Date: March 30, 2000
Re: Finalization of arrangements for mock City Council meetings
There have been a few changes in the schedule from the High School for the mock City Council
meetings:
- location has been shifted back to City Hall
- last time is now 11:30 to 12:30 (changed from 1 pm).
At the work session, we will confirm schedules and also see if Council Member Nelson would like
to take a session.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 -2199 • City Hall & TDD Number (612) 569 -3300
Recreation and Community Center Phone & TDD Number (612) 569 -3400 • FAX (612) 569 -3494
An Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunities Employer
City of Brooklyn Center
A great place to start. A great place to stay.
To: Mayor Kragness and Council Mem s Hilstrom, Lasman, Nelson and Peppe
From: Michael J. McCaule
City Manager
Date: March 28, 2000
Re: Reimbursement for materials
While at the National League of Cities conference, Council Member Nelson purchased $120 worth
of session tapes. In the past, Council Members have purchased materials at National League of Cities
conferences for which they have received reimbursement, but generally for $50 or less. The tapes
purchased by Council Member Nelson could be used by any interested person. Given the amount,
I would prefer that the Council itself review the proposed reimbursement and corresponding use of
the tapes by the City and perhaps consider providing guidance on how to deal with conference
material not included in registration costs.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 -2199 • City Hall & TDD Number (612) 569 -3300
Recreation and Community Center Phone & TDD Number (612) 569 -3400 • FAX (612) 569 -3494
An Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunities Employer
City of Brooklyn Center
A great place to start. A great place to stay.
To: Mayor Kragness and Council Members Hilstrom, Lasman, Nelson and Peppe
From: Michael J. McCauley )1/1"
City Manager
Date: March 28, 2000
Re: Joint Meeting with Charter Commission
I spoke with Carl Wolter last year regarding the possibility of a joint meeting with the City Council.
Mr. Wolter indicated he would bring the subject up with the Charter Commission when they met in
2000. The current Chair, Stan Leino, called and indicated that the Charter Commission would like
to have a joint meeting with the City Council. The Charter Commission's next meeting is June 28th.
I suggested that I would explore that date with the City Council as a potential date for a joint
meeting.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 -2199 • City Hall & TDD Number (612) 569 -3300
Recreation and Community Center Phone & TDD Number (612) 569 -3400 • FAX (612) 569 -3494
An Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunities Employer
City of Brooklyn Center
A great place to start. A great place to stay.
To: Mayor Kragness and uncil Members Hilstrom, Lasman, Nelson and Peppe
From: Michael J. McCauley
City Manager
Date: March 23, 2000
Re: Civic Center Building Options
This item is for purposes of discussing the process to be used at this juncture in the study of civic
center building options. As the Council is aware, the cost estimates prepared by a person in the
development field and a different architect have indicated much higher costs for the concept that was
selected for further study. These costs exceed available resources and present a wide gap between
remodeling and a new building. I anticipate that my recommendation to the Council will be to
abandon the new building concept and to explore remodeling. I would like direction from the
Council on how to proceed in presenting the results of the studies that have been undertaken. That
is, would the Council prefer to have the results presented:
- to the Park & Recreation Commission and Financial Commission at the regular commission
meetings for recommendation to the City Council
- have a joint meeting with the Commissions
- proceed in some other fashion?
•
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 -2199 • City Hall & TDD Number (612) 569 -3300
Recreation and Community Center Phone & TDD Number (612) 569 -3400 • FAX (612) 569 -3494
An Affirmatiue Action 1 Equal Opportunities Employer
M City of Brooklyn Center
A great place to start. A great place to stay.
To: Mayor Kragness and Council Members Hilstrom, Lasman, Nelson and Peppe
From: Michael J. McCauley
City Manager
Date: March 30, 2000
Re: Report on Meeting with Sharing & Caring Hands
Mayor Kragness and I met with Sharing & Caring Hands personnel on Thursday to seek information
on a proposed orphanage that we had previously heard about. At the meeting, we were shown
schematics that are attached for a facility on Earle Brown Drive behind the Earle Brown Heritage
e g
Center. Mayor Kragness and I attempted to explore the suitability of other sites, such as the vacant
land adjacent to St. Alphonsus. The site on Earle Brown Drive was viewed by Sharing & Caring
Hands as the only acceptable site. They also mentioned a commercial site in Plymouth.
We invited Mary Jo and Dick Copeland to meet with the Council on April 3rd to discuss their
concepts and planning and to also do the same with the Planning Commission on April 17th.
Initially, they agreed to meet with the Council and Planning Commission so that the proposal could
be discussed as a concept prior to any formal application. I subsequently received a voice mail
message that they had been advised not to meet with the Council or Planning Commission prior to
submitting a formal application and would not be meeting with the either body.
As you are aware, the property they are indicating they are purchasing is zoned C 1 -A. Residential
uses are not permitted in this zone. Thus, their proposed facility would not be allowed unless there
was a change in zoning or some other zoning mechanism was approved.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 -2199 • City Hall & TDD Number (612) 569 -3300
Recreation and Community Center Phone & TDD Number (612) 569 -3400 • FAX (612) 569 -3494
An Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunities Employer
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SCHEMATIC SITE, PLAN. SITE 11 - MARCH 16. 2000
March 29, 2000
MEMO
TO: Mayor and Council members
SUBJECT: Schedule and Information Packet for Council Meeting Simulation
Brooklyn Center High School Students
Attached, please find the information for the "Minidale" Council meeting, which is used for the
Council meeting simulation by BC High students. The first page outlines the background of the
issue to be discussed, which is an application to open a video arcade. On the second and third
pages, are the list of characters. You will see the descriptions of the Council members, and of
the Mayor, and of the citizens who will address the Council during the public hearing. On the
fifth, sixth page and seventh page, you will see the background information provided by the City
Manager, and on the last pages are vocabulary words and phrases that are given to help the
students understand the process and their individual roles.
Your job as Mayor in the simulation is to open the public hearing, call upon each of the citizens
to speak, and to keep the process moving along. Some students are better than others at playing
their roles, and you may need to make statements or ask questions to keep the pace of the
simulation moving along. After the public hearing is closed, the Council debates its decision,
and votes whether or not to allow the video arcade. The discussion is simplified and does not
follow what you actually would have to vote on ( like a special use permit) for the sake of
helping the students grasp the process.
The schedule for the hour simulation generally follows this format:
Mayor's introduction: Introduce the topic, you can use this time to talk about the real
10 minutes job as a Council member or Mayor, mention some of the things
going on in the community (kids have been really interested
in the theaters being built).
Public Hearing: Open the public hearing, and request speakers from list of
35 minutes citizens. Work in questions for the City Manager and Police Chief
during the public hearing to expand discussion if the "citizens"
don't have much to say.
Debate/Vote: Close the public hearing. You may have questions directed to
10 minutes the City Manager and Police Chief at this time as well. Debate
and Vote on the issue. Council members (kids) usually need some
help with formulating a motion for a vote.
T
Schedule for April 17 and 18. There has been a change in location. The Council simulation
will take place at CITY HALL, not the classrooms. The teachers thought the simulation would
go better for all at the Council Chambers, and were able to work out transportation.
CITY HALT, COUNCIL CHAMBERS:
Monday, April 17 8:00 -9:00 Robert Peppe
Mr. Dave Perchinsky's class
9:30 -10:30 Kay Lasman
Mr. Chuck Ostergard's class
11:30 -12:30 Debra Hilstrom
Mr. Mark Johnson's class
Tuesday, April 18 8:00 -9:00 Myrna Kragness
Mr. Dave Perchinsky's class
9:30 -10:30
Mr. Chuck Ostergard's class
11:30 -12:30 Debra Hilstrom
Mr. Mark Johnson's class
There will be about 15 students in the simulation. Each student should have a part that the
teacher has assigned. Please contact Jane Chambers at 569 -3303 if you have any questions
regarding the above information.
Minidale
Minidale is a city with a population of 7,000 people, with a mix of low, moderate, and
middle income families. The traditional style business district provides some
employment opportunities for Minidale's residents. A large number of white and blue
collar workers are employed outside the city.
There are a number of churches in the community of various denominations. People
in Minidale tend to be active in church activities. Although the citizens tend to be
politically liberal (willing to be open minded and try new things), they are usually
conservative (traditional, not always willing to try new things) on social issues.
There has been some new development recently, but there has been a mixed reaction
to it in the community. Some people are concerned about the impact new
development will have on municipal services and taxes. Concern has also been
expressed that new housing will change the 'character" of the community.
Opportunities for youth activities are somewhat limited. Although there are a number
of school and religious programs for youth, there has been a greater demand by
youths for more variety in the number and type of programs.
Recently there has been some work to create a teen hangout and video arcade for
youth. , There is a building on the business district of Main Street that is open and
Vera / Vincent has shown Interested in buying the space and opening a place for
teens. There is much community support and opposition from various groups.
The application to open the video store has been submitted to the city council. The
application is being reviewed by the city manager and they will make their
recommendation in a report to the council at the public hearing. Then the council will
listen to discussion in a public hearing that may have many citizens show up to
express their opinion.
•
CHARACTER SUMMARY
• MAYOR HENRY/ii-H .NRIFTTA CLAY - Age 52 - 3 college age children
Conservative, hates controversy and will support both sides of an issue in order to compromise.
Held some public office for the past 19 years - 3rd term as Mayor - Owns downtown department
store.
• PETER PERSUASIVE (Councilmember) - Age 50 - children grown
Wealthy, influential, owns a local insurance agency. Becomes frustrated by people he can't control,
particularly the City Manager.
• GLORIA GRADUATE (Councilmember) - Age 39 - two teenage children
Lifelong Democrat, former war protester, Master's Degree in Psychology. Works part-time at local
art store /gallery. Becomes frustrated with conservative ideas. Strong supporter of City Manager
form of government.
• RUSSELL RETIRED (Councilmember) - Age 68 - children grown and moved away
Lifelong resident of community. Usually opposes change in favor of "the way things use to be ".
Normally listens to City Manager. Fishing buddy of Police Chief. Gets irritable about half -way
through Council meetings.
• BETTY BLAND (Councilmember) - Age 42 - two teenage children
Owner /operator of Card Store on Main Street for 15 years. President of Chamber of Commerce.
Supportive of City staff, strong believer in small business ownership. Has never been center of
controversy on any issue.
• MARY/MARVIN MANAGER (City Manager) - Age 37 - two elementary school children
City Manager for past three years. City Council support is mixed. Gloria Graduate a is strong
g P Y t3' PP g
supporter with Retired and Bland enerall supportive. Persuasive dislikes Manager because he
g Y PP g
can't control him/her. Mayor wishes Manager would comprise. Wife/husband works as successful
insurance agent that competes with Persuasive.
• CHARLIE CHIEFCOP (Police Chief) - Age 45 - married, no children
Seventeen years with Mindale Police Department, last seven as Chief. Experience with City
precedes City Manager position. Dislikes both the City Manager form of government and current
Manager. Often voices opinions publicly without substantiation. Sees video arcade as a "hang -out"
that will require more manpower. Has support of law and order segment of the City.
• VERA/VINCENT VIDEO (Video Arcade Applicant) - Age 34 - single
Nonsmoking, nondrinking idealist. Straight -arrow with clean record. Recently laid off as a youth
counselor with the YMCA. Loves working with teens and sees the arcade as an opportunity g PP tY to earn
a living and interact with kids. Not a resident.
• R0B3ERT/ROBERTA REALTOR (Owner of Vacant Building) - Age 44 - divorced
•
Real estate developer and owner of the building proposed for the arcade. Building use to house
laundromat where kids hung out. Very successful obtaining City approval of development proposals
prior to City Manager arrival. Since then, Manager has convinced Council to require conformance
to City Ordinance, costing Realtor a great deal of money.
• MABLE BLUEHAIR (Beauty Shop Operator next to proposed arcade) - Age 54 - one grown child
Operated beauty shop for 15 years. Primary clientele is women over 45 years old, many of whom
will not come to the shop if arcade is approved. Feels her business is at stake. Mayor Clay's
wife/Mayor Clay is one of her customers.
• WENDY/WENDELI, WORKER (Representative of Ministerial Association) - Age 24 - single
Youth worker at St. Paul's Church for past eight months. Fresh out of seminary school. Local kids
respect his/her judgement. Has been elected to officially represent Ministerial Association at
Council meeting.
• STEVEN /STELLA STUDENT (Student Council Representative at Council Meeting) -
Age 17
Student Council President. Attending Council meeting to represent student body position supporting
arcade. Students support partially stems from feeling that a youth center will never materialize.
• LOIS/LARRY LOCAL (Interested Citizen at Council Meeting) - Age 28 - one preschool child
A lifelong City resident in favor of arcade. Active in community and friendly with both the Mayor
and Robert/Roberta Realtor. Not generally interested in politics, but interested in this issue.
• CARL /CAROL CAREFUL (Audience Participant) - Age 43
Postal worker who is moderately opposed to arcade. Somewhat concerned about morals of the
City's youth, but is careful to present views calmly and rationally so as not to appear fanatical.
• FRIEDA/FRED FANATIC (Concerned Parent) - Age 45 - four children, 8 -17 years
Sales Manager for firm outside of community. Totally opposed to arcade proposal. Feels arcade
would promote drug use, gambling, smoking, and general moral decay. Outspoken, and sometimes
interruptive. Quite emotional over this issue.
•
TO: Mindale City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Video Arcade Application by Vera /Vincent Video
•
We have received an application from‘Vera /vincent Video for the operation
of a video arcade at 114 Main Street (the old Bobby Jay's Laundromat).
Mr. /Ms. Video proposes to have 26 video games as well as soft drinks
and snack foods in the 25 x 60 foot building.
•
The main issue before the Council is that the City Zoning onin Ordinance
Hance
and other City laws do not make any reference to video games and /or .
arcades. The City Attorney torne
y interprets this circumsatance to mean that
without specific authorization, the video arcade is not allowed in •
the City. The attorney also points out that we are legally on shaky
ground if we completely prohibit video games and therefore should give
consideration to the establishment of some type of regulations relating
to such devices and establishments.
Several alternatives exist for the City in consideration of this problem
including, but t not limited to:
1.
Provide for video arcades in a commercial zone as a regularly permitted
use (this would be a minimal regulatory provision);
2 . Provide for video games in the Zoning Ordinance as a use to be
permitted only when certain conditions as established by the City
Council are properly met (allow as a conditional use);
3 . Take no action, therefore effectively prohibiting video games .
arcades.
This meeting and discussion has been advertised as a public hearing
to allow public comment with respect to the choices which the Council
is considering.
Several comments have been received concerning this issue, and they
are summarized as follows.
•
Mr. /Ms. Video states that s /he will run a clean operation and state::;
that students will not be allowed to engage in unacceptable behavior
and s /he will not allow students in the arcade during regular school
hours. Mr. /Ms. Video feels that alternative N1 is all that iu needed, •
• and will allow her /him the flexibility s /he needs to operate his/her •
business without interference from government and provide her /him with
the ability to operate in the most efficient and economic manner.
Note that Charlie Chiefcop, police Chief, has run a background chuck
on Mr. /Ms. Video and hau found no problems. Others, however, irse:tu.it►►q •
Mable Bluehdlr, who owns the Beauty Shop next door to the proposed
arcade, has stated that many of her customers have told her that t:ltey
are against the video arcade. Mrs. Bluehair is deeply afraid that
she will loins customers to her competition down the street.
• She fears that the crowd frequenting the arcade will be the oaa►o disruptavu
young people who used to hang around at the Laundromat, causing Litter,
• vandalism problems, and parking problems for her customers. Mrs. t3Luuh&ir
feels that the Council should take no action on the request, thus, pruhibitt►►y
the arcade. She feels that if Mr. /Me. Video wants to sue the City,
a /he can try, but she thinks that Mr. /Ms. Video could be tr.ud up ►r,
court for many years and thus would pcobdbly never be able to
his /her arcade.
Robert/Roberta Realtor, who owns the building, hds heard about Mr ::. !slue! ►aie e�
proposal, suggests that /he would probably institute a lawsuit t,
open the arcade on Mr. /M1. Video's hehalf but al.o would cue under.
the Federal Civil Rights Law which, in the opinion of the City ALLtIr•►►uy,
could Cost the City tuns of tirousande of dollars. We have no way kit
knowing, of courue, whether Mr. /Mu. Video and fir. /Ms. Realtor .see: blot t ►rnj •
or not.
This will probably be a very emotional and heated issue since local
youths have sought a teen center For many ye.er :., and this is the c Lute: „ r
they have ever come.
-2-
Many parents and religious leaders, on the other hand, feel that a moral and
behavioral problem could arise if this request is allowed.
The manager has the following observations with respect to the four
alternatives: Video Arcades - Permitted Use in a Commercial Zone. This, in my
opinion, would be too permissive and would not allow the Council and potential
problems like loitering, etc.
Video Garmes/Arcades - Conditional Use Only. This is, in my opinion, is the
preferred alternative. The City Council, prior to allowing and arcade, could establish
conditions relating to curfews, signing, loitering provisions, and /or numbers of
machines. It should be noted not be limited as long as they comply with the
reasonable conditions as imposed by the Council. This means that it is possible that
there could someday be several video arcades in Mindale. Finally, take no action.
This, of course, gives the Council total control since video arcades would be allowed
anywhere in Mindale. This would be true only as long as the courts did not hold our
ordinance to be invalid.
The recommendation is Alternative #2, which may be very unpopular to
Bluehair and the religious community and with Mr./Ms. Video (although for diffrent
reasons), but which places the City in the favorable legal position in both the short and
the long run,
Feel free to call me if you have any questions prior to the hearing.
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VOCABULARY WORDS - PHRASES
I 1. City Government - Is a local unit of government which is responsible for
providing municipal services to its residents in the form of police and fire
protection, water and wastewater collection, parks and recreation, local
41 transportation systems, and land use and economic development planning. .
2. City Council - Is (normally) made up of between five and nine residents of the
II city who are elected either at large or by wards to serve as members of the
policy making body of the city. They provide the general direction for the
community and approve the budget.
3 . City Manager (Administrator) - Is an individual with a professional background
who acts to carry out the policy decisions of the City Council and handles the
day -to -day administrative responsibilities for the city.
4 . Planning Commissio - Is a citizen advisory commission y omm ssion appointed by the City
1
Council which reviews issues related to land use planning and handles requests
II for conditional use permits and zoning ordinance changes.
5. Ordinance Code - Is similar to state statutes in that it provides for the laws
Mi which govern activities within the city. Ordinances become part of the city .
ordinance code when they are adopted by the City Council and regulate things
from land use, to speed limits, to building codes.
II 6. Comprehensive Plan - Is.a plan that is developed by the Planning Commission and
approved by the City Council which sets forth the long term direction for land
uses within the city.
II 7. Zoning - Re- zoning - Each municipality's zoning ordinance rovides
P for a
division of. the community into different land uses e.g. residential, commercial •
II % and industrial Within each of these zones different uses .are 'allowed from
single.family residential to multiple family residential to retail commercial,
office commercial, etc. Property owners can ask for re- zoning of property if
they can justify changes in land use.
II 8 . Mayor - Is elected at large by residents of the city to serve as the chair
the City Council and the political leader for the community. hair of
II ' 9. Property tax - Is a tax which is placed on property within the city and is
calculated based on the property's s valuation. Property taxes are normally
divided between the city, school district and county for operating revenue
II purposes.
10. Budget - Each year the city is required by state law to develop a budget
document which sets forth how much money the city will spend for particular
1 activities and how much revenue it expects to receive from various sources.
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11. Audit - State -law also requires that an independent accountant review the
financial records of the city on an annual basis and make a report to the City
Council on the expenditure of these funds.
• 12. Public works - Usually refers to the maintenance and construction of the cit
streets and underground utilities e.g. water and sewer. y
13. License - Is a permit from the city to conduct some type of activity. The most
common licenses issued by city governments are liquor, cigarette and building
permits.
14. Federal System - The United States operates under federal
system
is a division of powers between the national government i.e. whereby the federal
government, and the individual states.
15. City Charter Serves as the municipality's constitution and it sets forth the
basic framework for the organization of the city and outlines its duties and
responsibilities. •
16. Assessments - In doing certain projects, such as street improvements, all or a
part of the cost of these projects are sometimes assessed back to the
benefiting property. For example on the reconstruction of a residential street
the city will often times charge a per foot assessment which is then paid
III through the property taxes.
17. Variance - A variance can he issued by the City Council
Y Y after review by either
the Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals, which allows a property
�) owner to be at variance from the zoning ordinance on such things as side yard
setbacks to construct a garage.
I 18. Cl cs p that ' •
and onditional u ses can Use only be - d Most atter• ity they receive zoning ordinance a n
per from rovide t c try
places certain conditions on that use. In those cases Conditional Use Permits
are reviewed by the Planning.Commision at a public hearing and then sent to the
�} City Council for action.
19. Public Hearing - Often times the City Council or Planning Commission or Board
� ? of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing in which a legal notice is placed
i in the newspaper and written notice is sent out to affected property owners
providing them with the opportunity to address these bodies and give their
opinions. Thes purpose of the public hearing is to receive public input on an
11 issue before these bodies take action.
20. Tax Increment Financing - Is a municipal development tool which allows a city
to provide funds for land acquisition and site problem correction in
I t economically depressed areas. This is done by taking the additional taxes
produced by higher level of development on a parcel of land and using them for
I ' a set period of time, normally ten years, to pay these costs.
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