HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-02 Council Work Session 2 MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
AUGUST 2,2010
5:20 P.M.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Bennett, Brindle, Housh, Swenson and Mayor Hovland. Staff
present: Heather Worthington, Interim City Manager; Kris Aaker, Assistant City Planner; Joyce Repya,
Associate City Planner; Jeff Long, Police Chief; Wayne Houle, City Engineer/Public Works Director; Jennifer
Bennerotte, Communications and Marketing Director; Ceil Smith, Assistant to the City Manager; Roger
Knutson, City Attorney;and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Planning Commissioners attending included: Floyd Grabiel, Jeff Carpenter, Michael Fischer, Michael
Schroeder, Kevin Staunton, Arlene Forrest, and Nancy Scherer. Attending from the Zoning Board of Appeals
was Michael Birdman.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order and stated the purpose of the meeting was to have a preliminary
discussion regarding contracting with the City of Golden Valley to provide emergency dispatching services and
to receive information from City Attorney, Roger Knutson, regarding the Supreme Court Ruling A-08-1988
relative to issuance of variances.
Dispatch Services—Golden Valley
Manager Worthington explained the City had been approached several months ago regarding providing a
proposal for emergency services for the City of Golden Valley. Three communities: Edina, St. Louis Park and
Minneapolis submitted proposals. The City of Golden Valley currently contracts with the City of St. Louis Park.
Chief Long gave some details about technical aspects of providing dispatching services to another community.
Staff and City Council members discussed potential impacts on Edina 'regarding: call volume, impact on
staffing needs,technology needs and cost. The discussion also included potential charges, contract terms, and
liability. Consensus was to place the issue on the next Council agenda which will allow staff to negotiate terms
of a possible contract.
Ruling State of Minnesota In Supreme Court A08-1988
City Attorney Knutson briefly synopsized the findings of the Supreme Court Case A08-1988. He explained this
ruling had extensive impact on land use decisions of cities in Minnesota because the definition of "hardship"
under the context of variance has been changed. Mr. Knutson noted that for years hardship's definition was:
"undue hardship meant the property could not be put to a reasonable use...." However, now the meaning has
been changed to: "without the variance an owner would have no reasonable use of the property." This change
has significant meaning in the granting of variances by cities.
Council, Planning Commissioners and staff discussed possible solutions for the problem. Staff was directed to
look into possible alternative setback ordinance language. It was also noted that the Planning Commission was
working on a PUD code that would help solve the issue for commercial property. These proposed code
changes could alleviate the challenges the new ruling may cause.
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
b ange Cit erk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council,August 17, 2010.
James B. Hovland, Mayor