HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-04-14_COUNCIL MEETINGAGENDA
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
APRIL 14, 1975
7:00 P.M.
ROLLCALL
* I. Ed R. Lellbach - Votomatic Vote Recorder
II. ParkBoard
* A. Capital Improvements
B. Open-Space
III. Think List
i
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THINK LIST
r Y Januarys' 1975
I. PLANNING COMMISSION
A. Smaller zones or classifications –°–�
B. Posting signs to label rezoning areas�""���
C. Halla's property
D. Highway 5 and Cahill
II. PARK BOARD
A. Art Center
B. Capital improveme.nt-
C. Colonial Church
;D. Monthly financial statemen.
E. Presidents' Council t. a~
1. Hockey heaters 1
2. Hockey bus 4w,
3. Insurance
III.
IV .
s'
V.
COMMISSIONS
A. Limit tenure
B. Rotate chairmanship !o',
C. Minutes to chairmen of other commissions — nAut U /a LuL
D. Staff and secretarial assignments
HUMAN RELATIONS /ZI
A. higcer
B. Youth Action ✓
C. Drugs
D.. South Hennepin Human Services group v
GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION
i al improvements I^
A. Cap rovements t p
B.. Investment, procedures 1N`G a
C. School cooperation
D. Retirement
E. Inspect -ion and fees
F. Recreation
G. Garage
H. Consultant' /
I. Insurance analysis
J. When should we meet with Governmental Commission?
6�A
THINK LIST.
Page Two
VI. H.R.A.
A. 50th Street
B. Any other areas
C. Morningside curb and gutter
D. Heritage Preservation Ordinance
VII. COUNCIL and MANAGER
A. Consolidate mailing, such as Newsletter, Human Relations, Police
B. Meeting brochure. Should this be assigned to League of Women Voters?
C. Liquor ads
D. Transit committee
• E. Retirement problerms -and -procedures
F. Morningside financing
G. Modern Medicine Building
H. Consultant arrangements with Woehler and Dahl
I. Fellman - Logo
J. Housing and Human Relations committee
K.
Campaign rules
L. Crime fund
M. Work sessions
N. Rotate votes -
0. Semi - annual meetings with commissions
P. Oral reports from schools and conferences
Q. Oral reports 'from.Council memb ',er,s or commission :members who attend
things, .such °as .Wayne on the old age seminar in'Washington and his
CATV.
R. Earlier budget input by Council
S. Open meeting procedures
T. Audit questions
U. Fire Service
1. , Richfield
2. Insurance rates
3. Pension
4. Ordinances
V. Public Service.Options
1. Transia :(already :mentioned)
2. Safety .commi,ttee - obtain some a'ss'istance from Safety' Council.
3. Federal monies
4. Energy
5. Awards
'6. Founda'tions
7. Stagger, license dates
8. Braemar stadium
9. Bicycle paths
10. Open space and their suggestions and comments
THINK LIST
Page Three
V. Public Service Options (continued)
11. Beer licenses - the limit on the distance from school and
church is in our proposed ordinance and regardless of the
outcome of the liquor question on the ballot should be
clarified.
12. We should be making plans for use of the American Legion
Building.
13. Traffic - York Avenue
14. Communications, and I am suggesting some sort of a column
by department heads, councilmen and the like.
15. Community development funds
16. Votomatic machines
17. Campaign procedures, expenses, and limits
\ P'
G
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM .
First item that we have discussed is the Deferred Compensation plans
that are available to the school personnel. An employee is given the
opportunity of having some of his compensation put into an annuity or
some plan to be paid at a later time, such as retirement. Obviously,
his money is then taxed to him when he receives it and not when it is
put in the fund.. This has the obvious tax advantages.
Tom Erickson indicates that the present statutes, even though some
other municipalities are okaying such plans, is ineffective to include
municipal employees. Some of the department heads, in particular,
might be concerned with this, and apparently the legislative changes
necessary would be minor. I suggest that we endorse such a change and
ask that our legislators work toward the same.
The next item is that in connection with the municipal elections, we
have now-the situation where in 1976 three of the Trustees and one Mayor
will be up for election. The rule that we have adopted is that the two
Trustees-getting the most votes will be elected for four years and the
one getting the third amount will be for two years. I think that we
should get legislative backing.to assure that there are no legal entangle-
ments with this.
The Mayor's term is now for two years. Forgetting me, it would be my
thought that the Mayor's term should also be for four years, and what
I.am suggesting is that again we have some legislation to.permit that.
I don't know how the legislature works, and they might want to make an
exception for the existing incumbent and make it effective from here on.
That's not the point. The point is that I think four years for Mayor
and Trustee is probably, amore workable situation.
Also, -give the election clerk the right to pull the absentee card out
when a person applies for an absentee ballot. That way, we would avoid
having the double voting by an absentee who might appear at the poll.
Then, at our last meeting we adopted the legislative program of the
Suburban League, and I would suggest that that be sent to our legislators.
Then I would suggest that if we feel it worthwhile, it might be wise for
us to determine whether the school has any particular programs or problems
that they want; and with that, we might try'to arrange an informal meeting,
which would be open and to the public and to the press, with the legislators
and the School Board and the Council.
JVV[hd /1-14 -75
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THE CHURCH OF ST. STEPHEN THE MARTYR
(EPISCOPAL)
4439 West 50th Street /Edina, Minnesota 55424/Phone 920 -0595
The Rev. John H. MacNaughton, B.A., B.D., Rector
The Rev. Dudley Beresford, B.Sc., B.A., L.Th., Associate Rector
The Rev. George L. Head, B.A., M. Div., Church Administrator
Mrs. John (Trudy) Kellogg, Education Coordinator
April 99 1975
Mayor and Members of the Council
Village of Edina
Edina, MN 55424
Dear Mayor and Members of the Council:
We have been advised that you will be reviewing a proposed
Park Board improvement to Utley Park at your Council Meeting on
Monday, April 14. We support the proposed addition of a hockey
rink to the west of the tennis courts with general skating facili-
ties surrounding the proposed rink and to the south and slightly
east of the tennis courts. We feel the addition of a- permanent
warming house to the current building along with a well lighted
and maintained skating area will greatly improve the park and
general neighborhood. We of course would welcome any and all
additions to adjacent parking facilities that could be used by
the Church on a year -round basis.
We understand that currently there are no organized hockey
programs on Sunday mornings. We would like to suggest that if
possible the Park Board consider a delayed opening of the pro-
posed permanent shelter until 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. We think
this would minimize any traffic conjestion on Sunday morning
at the 50th and Wooddale intersection.
On April 8th the Vestry of St. Stephen's Church approved
by vote the writing of this letter and the concerns expressed
herein.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding and if we
can be of any assistance on this project please advise us at your
convenience.
Sincerely,
George.L. Head
Business Administrator
GLH:cf
April 7. 1975
5800 View Lane
Edina, Minnesota
Hon. James Van Valkenburg, Mayor
City of Edina
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, Minnesota 55424
Dear Sir:
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of my interest in the
proposed Arts and Crafts Center for Edina. I think such a center would
provide education and enjoyment for many in the community.
It is encouraging that plans have progressed to this point. I am
hopeful that funding will now be approved and that the center can be
completed quickly. Thank you for any assistance you can provide toward
this objective.
Copies to Members of
the Council:
C. Wayne Courtney
Mrs. Allen P. Schmidt
Willis F. Shaw
Fred Richards
Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert J. Schramm
v as ociation of
metropolitan
� `14 municipalities
APRIL, 1975 480 CEDAR ST., ST. PAUL, MINN. 55101 NO. 4
A SHARED
ro ig• olitan Plannn • Met p RESPONSIBILITY?
By Vern Peterson
"The Legislature finds and
declares that the local
government units within the
metropolitan area are highly
interdependent, that the rapid
growth and patterns of
urbanization within the area
create the need for costly
additional state, metropolitan and
local public services and facilities
and increased danger of air and
water pollution and land
distribution, and that actions by
and developments in one local
governmental unit affect residents
of the entire metropolitan area.
Since problems of urbanization
and development transcend local
governmental boundaries, no
single unit of government can
adequately plan their solution and
there is a need for the adoption of
coordinated plans, programs and
controls by all local governmental
units and school districts in order
to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the residents of the
_Roger Peterson Appointed to
Legislative Affairs Position
Roger Peterson, Cottage Grove,
has been appointed Director of
Legislative Affairs for the
Association of Metropolitan
Municipalities. The appointment
was made by Vern Peterson,
Executive Director of the
Association and was affirmed by
the Board of Directors, March 6.
Peterson, 34, had been a
member of the Association Board
of Directors until his appointment
Roger Peterson
and is currently the Mayor of
Cottage Grove. Prior to his
appointment, Peterson was a
computer programmer manager
for Control Data. He has been
involved in various south
Washington County governmental
groups, including the South
Washington County Govern-
mental Communication Council.
In addition, he was chairman of
the League of Minnesota
Municipalities' Revenue and
Property Tax Legislative sub-
committee in 1974.
He is a graduate of the
University of Nebraska at Omaha
with a degree in political science.
Peterson is in his second two -year
term as Mayor and has lived in
Cottage, Grove since 1969.
Among the duties as Director of
Legislative Affairs, Peterson will
be primarily responsible for
directing the Association's
lobbying efforts on the various tax
and revenue bills which resulted
from the organization's legislative
program.
metropolitan area and to ensure
coordinated,. orderly and
economic development."
So reads the preamble of the
land use planning bill sponsored
by the Metropolitan Council.
The main thrust of this bill and,
perhaps, the most controversial, is
the requirement that all local units
of government, including school
districts, must prepare and adopt
comprehensive plans and that
certain elements within these
local plans are subject to the
approval of the Metropolitan
Council.
The bill also sets a general time
schedule for completion of the
local comprehensive plans
basically establishing April 1,
1978 as the outside limit for
submittal of such plans to the
Council for review and approval.
This bill also establishes an
Advisory Metropolitan Land Use
Committee to advise and assist
the Metropolitan Council in the
implementation of the proposed
act.
The bill also provides funding
for grants and loans to local units
of government to help defray the
added costs of preparing the
comprehensive plans and the
"official controls" to implement
such plans. The remaining costs
of implementing this proposed act
to local units of government
would be outside the present levy
limitations as the bill is now
drawn.
The bill also defines the basic
elements that must be addressed
in the local comprehensive plans.
A comprehensive plan for cities
must include:
1. A land use plan which
designates the existing and
proposed uses of land,,
Continued on page 4
Councilman, Clerk, Administrators Bring
Forty -four Years of Experience to Board
This is the third in a series of
articles on members of the Board
of Directors of the Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities.
Board members represent both
large and small communities and
provide the Board with experience
and background in a variety of
subjects.
Board member and City
Manager of White Bear Lake, G.
Stevens Bernard, not only actively
participates in the Association but
also participates in county
activities as well. Because of his
participation in county work,
Bernard was recently elected
president of the Ramsey County
League of Municipalities.
G. Stevens Bernard
White Bear Lake City Manager
since 1967, Bernard, 39, came to
the area via Kansas and Illinois.
From 1958 through 1965, Bernard
was in Topeka first as a member
of the city engineering
department, then as a planner
with the Topeka- Shawnee County
Regional Planning Commission
and finally as administrative
assistant to the Commissioner of
Parks and Public Property.
In 1965, he moved to Lake
Forest, Illinois, to become
assistant city manager and city
planner. He then came to White
Bear Lake as city manager.
Richard Brennan, Councilman
from Roseville, although not a
lifetime resident of the city, comes
close to that, having lived in
Roseville for 27 years.
Compared to his residency in
the city, his career as a
Councilman is relatively short. He
will have served four years on the
Council this fall. Even more
recent his move into his own
business. Brennan, for the last
two years, has operated
"Brennan's" at Western and
University. Prior to that he was
employed in the purchasing
department of Paper Calmenson
and Co. (a steel products
company) for 18 years. _
Richard Brennan
Brennan has received a degree
in business administration from
the Globe Business College in St.
Paul. In addition to the
Association and the Ramsey
County League, Brennan has
been active in his VFW and
American Legion posts for 20
years.
Lyall Schwarzkopf,, 43, has the
distinction of being the only city
clerk on the Association Board of
Directors. In addition, he is the
only one who has previously been
a state legislator and who is
primarily responsible for his own
city's lobbying at the state
legislature.
Schwarzkopf became Minne-
apolis City Clerk in 1972 after
having been not only a state
legislator for nine years but also
the Hennepin County GOP
chairman for six years (1965
through 1971). Prior to his
position with the Republican
Party, Schwarzkopf was field
secretary and assistant executive
secretary of the Minnesota State
Medical Association from 1956 to
1965.
He first came to Minneapolis in
1942 where he graduated from
Roosevelt High School in 1949.
He received a bachelor's degree
Lyall Schwarzkopf
in political science from the
University of Minnesota in 1953..
Donald Poss, Brooklyn Center
City Manager, is now in his
fifteenth year as part of the
Brooklyn Center city government
of which nine years has been
spent as the chief administrator.
Poss, 42, received a Bachelor's
degree in civil engineering from
the University of Wisconsin in
1955 and was then employed as
assistant director of public works
in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He
stayed in that position until 1960
when he took a position of
director of public works with
Brooklyn Center. He became city
manager in 1966.
Donald Poss
Currently, Poss, in addition to
being an Association Board
member and executive committee
member, is a member of the
Governor's Intergovernmental
Information Systems Advisory
Committee, a member of the
Governor's Intergovernmental
Personnel Act Council and
President of the Local Govern-
ment Information Systems
(LOGIS).
STILLWATER HAS STARTED a unique program of giving free trees to
residents. The program aids the city in replacing trees lost to dutch elm
disease (as shown above) and has been named part of the city's
Bicentennial plans.
Stillwater Giving Free Trees
As Part of Dutch Elm Program
As part of its Dutch Elm disease
and tree replacement program,
and as a celebration of Arbor Day,
the City of Stillwater is offering
seedlings and sapling trees free of
charge to all residents who want
them for planting on their
property.
Residents could choose from
seven varieties of saplings
including green ash, black walnut,
norway poplar, corkscrew willow
and thornless honeylocust.
All orders were received by
February 28 and 2,000 persons
out of 3,500 property owners are
participating in the program. Each
property owner is limited to five
trees, which will be bundled and
delivered during the week of April
25 (Arbor Day). Residents will do
their own planting.
The city is purchasing the trees
wholesale for the program.
According to City Coordinator,
Ray Marshall, approximately one -
fourth of the leafy trees in
Stillwater are elm. "We have been
losing between 25 to 60 trees a
year for last four years because of
Dutch Elm," Marshall said.
The Arbor Day Tree Program
has been named one of
Stillwater's Bicentennial programs
and is under the direction of parks
director Dick Blekem.
Apple valley
Becomes Member
Apple Valley, a city of 8,502
people, is the latest municipality
to join the Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities. With
the addition of Apple Valley, the
Association now has 54 member
municipalities.
1—The Mayor of Apple Valley is
the,aRev. Fred J. Largen and the
administrator is Richard Asleson.
Apple Valley Councilmen are:
Willis Branning, Michael Garrison,
Julian Hayes and William Holtan.
Association
Initiates Job Bank
Referral Service
A new referral service has been
initiated by the Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities which
will attempt to assist both the
member municipalities and
persons seeking employment in
municipal government.
The service, which began in
March, consists of maintaining a
job bank file at the Association
office in addition to the resume
file already being maintained. By
keeping both files current and by
notifying all concerned
organizations of the services
provided, the Association will aid
municipalities in locating qualified
applicants and will save
applicants the task of contacting
each municipality in the
metropolitan area.
Christensen to Head
Board Nominating
Committee
John Christensen, St. Paul City
Councilman, has been named
chairman of the nominating
committee by the Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities Board
of Directors. The committee will
review candidates for positions on
the Board and for president and
vice president.
Also named to the committee
were: Ray Marshall, Stillwater City
Coordinator; Tom Johnson,
Minneapolis City Alderman; Sebe
Heintz, Columbia Heights
Councilman and Gerrit Schmidt,
Spring Park Administrator. The
committee will recommend
persons for seven positions on the
Board, president and vice
president.
The Committee will make its
recommendations to the members
at the annual meeting in May. Any
nominations or any person
wishing to serve on the Board
should contact the Association
office at 222 -2861 or send a letter
to: Nominating Committee,
Association of Metropolitan
Municipalities, 300 Hanover Bldg.,
480 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minnesota
55101.
Tax Proposal Should Include
New'Spendable'
Money for Cities
By Roger Peterson
Governor Anderson, in his
budget message, did not mention
specifically the current levy limit
law or any modifications of that
law but he did state that
additional steps must be taken
this session to help local
governments finance their priority
efforts as well as continuing
efforts to reduce the pressure on
property taxes.
Of utmost interest to municipal
officials is the proposal of
distributing all of the railroad and
telephone gross earnings tax,
approximately 46.2 million dollars,
to cities, counties and townships.
This money is in addition to
current local state aids but is not
necessarily "new" additional
spendable revenue dollars.
The current levy limit law
provides that state aid money
reduces, dollar for dollar, levy
money,. Unfortunately, the
governor did not indicate a
change to the levy limit law nor
how much of the "new aid" should
be new added revenue dollars for
local governments. The message
only implies an intent to provide
"new revenue." Therefore, as local
officials, we cannot be
complacent but must actively
seek out our legislators.
We must make it very clear that
our municipalities need additional
money, not replacement money,
or current services will be
drastically reduced. Some portion
of the 46.2 million dollars must be
above current dollar limits to
carry out the governor's intent.
How much may depend entirely
on how well we carry our
message to the legislature.
The Governor also proposed
revising to a normal tax level the
special low valuation
classification given to Title II
property for the elderly and Class
3CC homesteads for the blind and
disabled veterans. Tax relief for
these classifications in the
amount of 2.5 million dollars per
year would then be refunded
directly by the State. However,
once again, it is not clear if this
would be new or replacement
dollars.
Another proposal, and probably
the highest priority to the
Governor, is the Income - Adjusted
Tax Relief system which would
replace the existing homestead
credit, renter credit and low
income senior citizen credit.
Under this program a
household is first expected to pay
1 -1/2 percent of income in
property taxes. The state will then
pay up to $425 per family, $625
for senior citizens or disabled
persons of the property tax, at
which point the household will
pay the balance of the property
tax, if any.
Renters property tax will be
assumed as 20 percent of rent.
It is assumed that under this
program, taxpayers will be
required to claim the property tax
relief in conjunction with income
tax— so that the
computation for relief may be
checked and verified. Property tax
relief checks will then be sent
directly to the homeowner or
renter.
In summary, the Governor's
Property Tax Stabilization
Program dealt first and very
specifically with relief for the
individual citizen. Secondly, he
implied that local government
should be helped financially and
several possible sources of
revenue were discussed for local
aid. However, it was not stated
how much of these revenue
source dollars would be new
spendable dollars over and above
the current levy limit dollars.
County Government
Booklets Available
A publication entitled, "Seven
Counties in Transition" is now
available through the League of
Women Voters in Minnesota. The
booklet describes the roles of
county government in the
metropolitan area and how those
roles are changing.
Each county is described in
terms of structure, function,
finance, program planning,
budget making, personnel
management, taxing and
assessing, elections laws, human
services and land use.
The price of each copy is $1.50
and can be purchased from the
Minnesota League of Women
Voters, 55 Wabasha, St. Paul,
Minn. 55101. The telephone
number is 224 -5445.
Metropolitan Planning:
Continued from page 1
including protection of open
spaces.
2. A public facilities plan which
shall describe the location,
timing, sequence, use and
capacity of existing and
future public facilities of the
governmental unit. This
portion must contain the
following parts:
a. Transportation plan.
"b. Sewer Plan.
c. Parks and Open Space
Plan.
3. An implementation program
describing how and when the
comprehensive plan will be
implemented.
In the legislative program
adopted by the Association, we
urge the Legislature to "limit any
new approval authority over local
comprehensive plans to those
aspects of said plans that impact
the metropolitan physical service
systems."
This position recognizes that
the local plans must interface and
take into account the physical
metropolitan systems, which
includes the Metropolitan Airports
System, the Metropolitan Parks
and Open Space System, the
Metropolitan Transportation
System and the Metropolitan
Sewer System. This policy
position also clearly recognizes
that except for this interface the
municipalities should retain the
authority and responsibility to
prepare and adopt comprehensive
plans.
April 11, 1975
To: Mayor and Council
City Manager
From: Florence Hallberg, City Clerk
Subject: Votomatic Devices
Attached hereto are copies.of my memos of June 28, 1974, and January 8, 1975,
to the Council and to Mr. Hyde on the subject of voting devices. The facts
contained therein are, I believe, still valid. However, additional comments .
should be considered.
The State of Minnesota has still not given final approval to the use of the Voto-
matic units and they are being used on a trial basis. There is no indication,
however, that they will not be approved and certainly all municipalities using
the device appear to be extremely well satisfied.
Presently, the method of counting absentee votes is more time consuming with the
Votomatic than with our present machines. However, the State Legislature has
been requested to adopt a procedure under which the voter would punch his com-
puter card before sending it in. This punched card could then be fed into the
computer at the close of the election along with the other cards. If this
legislation is approved, it would be a great help with our large number of
absentee ballots, but according to Representative Forsythe, there is not much
hope for it passing at this session.
There is apprehension that some computer program could cause a real problem --
either intentionally or inadvertently.
Council should be aware that the printer feels that there is a possibility with
our even -year City Election (if we should have a large number of filings) that
there might not be room on our Automatic Voting Machines for all candidates.
There are pros and cons for both systems - -.not the least of which is financial.
I am comfortable with our present system -- certainly until the Votomat.ics are
approved by the State and until the procedure for counting absentee ballots is
changed. I know that keeping our machines in A -1 condition is becoming more of
a problem (especially in a one -issue election) and I was not impressed by the
service we received from the Automatic Voting Machine Company last November.
However, I have been assured that the service will be improved and we always
check out any machines that have given trouble after each election.
i
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June 28, 1974
T0: Mavor and Council
FR 0:•I: Florence B. Hallberg s
SUBJECT: Additional Voting ?Machines
Because of the new apartments in the City and because of Election Day registra-
tion, it is difficult to estimate the number of voters for the 1974 and 1976
elections. The impact of eighteen year old voters is also still unknown._
A.ssuming.a registration of 31,011 for 1974, a minimum of six additional voting
machines would mean that we would have between 314 and 360 voters per machine,
with a maximum of 360 voters per machine at the City Hall and at Cahill School.
At the 1972 Presidential Election, we did have 360'voters per machine at the
City Hall and, while there was a long line between 7 :00 a.m. and 9 :30 a.m., and
again during the evening hours, voters did not seem to object. 'However, that
is an absolute maximum and can only be per_mitteu in a polling place where the
facilities are good and where there are "established" voters who are familiar
with our procedures. Thirteen additional machines would set a range between
220 and 340 voters per machine.
The fact that we had approximately 7 to 8% votes cast by absentee votes at the
P--residential Election relieved the pressure on the voting machines. Experience
has showed that the number of absentee voters increases with each election. At
the 1972 election, over 92% of Edina's registered voters cast ballots, eitter
by machine or by nail. In 1970, 57.08% voted.
There is also a possibility of turning all of our voting machines in and going
to the Votomatic (computer card system) of votin 'g. Computer Election Systems
demonstrated their system to me about three weeks ago and I am still waiting
for them to send the proposal which they promised. I will admit that I am some
what reluctant to trade in our expensive voting, machines which are still in good
condition and which give us a tabulation of votes within an hour after the close
of a large election, for a system ;which is depen'ent on computers and which
will not produce the outcome of an election until some three or four hours later.
I also question somewhat the safety of the system, having read articles on how a
computer programmer could s�-,ing an election. Special safeguards must also be
taken in the transportation of uncounted ballots to the computer.
Tha Votomatic is, however, more easily stored, roved and set up than our machines.
I am told that one important advantage is that once the Voto;.atic is set up, you
can look at it and ki :ow that it is correct, whereas, one is never really sure of
t : Vot4n- machine until the Dol is open on l lecti o;? Day. The Votomatic nOW comes
iv =ti7 a voting booty i_nco':porat�ed as a unit and , :�a�ces a convenient "package".
' l opt, Brooklya Park alid Fridley Us Votorat_Cs. (Tae- never owned their own
lev2i machines.). 331ooi- i,,in`^,to :? tra(Iaal 1.. t"El'3i_ A uton;atic t'Jti ?':achin _.. fJi: Vota-
1. :3L1Cs a f'2:J years a -o cl :?Cl are well satisIi-z!d. :J�t :l the!-..i. i:innetonli :a has just this
�S'L!!9r s "litch�2d fro- Alitamatic Votiiih 1 "achines to Votomatics. Both l."ilooilin - ton
1'i,ina onk -a ha`.'.^ t!..w i oTAn con: paters. St. T;)Uis ra= , Golden Vall!2y, Roseville,
Coster an � - ,,,
ichriald ara oll s':tisfiad :Jitn t_7•�i leV.".r i,1mC 7l :eS, :±s
c'
'_1 a� 'Iinncanoli. a'let St. Pa_t!1.
Another possibility is, of course, to use paper ballots 'in one of the
larger precincts. However, the late returns, the additional supplies
(voting booths, ballot boxes, etc),
the accuracy
of the vote and the
confusion of having two systems should
be weighed
against the substantial
saving of funds. I mould
agree that
it this expenditure
is
a large one for
use by the people one day
every two
years -- but
it does seen ridiculous
to require voters to vote
on machines
for small elections
and then ask
them
to vote on paper ballots for large
elections.
Following is a summary of
the number
of voters per
machine
with our
present 86 machines, with
92 machines
and with 98
machines:
Est.
36
92
98
Pct.
Voters
Machines
Machines
P-achines
1
Shepherd of Hills Church
1,400
(4) 350
(4)
350
(5)
280
2
Edina City Hall
2,158
(6) 360
(6)
360
(7)
308
3
Wooddale School
2,300
(7) 329
(7)
329
(7)
329
4
Morningside Munic. Bldg.
.1,770
(5) 354
(5)
354
(6)
295
5
Highlands School
2,308
(7) 330
(7)
330
(5)
330
5
Countryside School
1,570
(5) 314
(5)
314
(5)
314
7
Normandale 'Church
2,000
Pa Ba lto lots
(6)
333
(6)
333
8
'Edina East Lover Division
1,700
(5) 340
(5)
340
(5)
340
9
Concord School
2,355
(7) 337
(7)
337
(7)
337
10
Creek Valley School
1,550
(5) 314
(5)
314
(5)
314•
11
Cahill School
1;800
(5) 300
(5)
360
(6)
300
12
Cornalia School
1,400
(4) 350
(4)
350
(5)
280
13
Church of the 14aster
2,300
(7) 328
(7)
328
(7)
328
14
St. Peter's Church
2,250
(7) 323
(7)
323
(7)
323
?3
Edina `:Icst Lower Division
1,740
(5) 348
(5)
348
(6)
290
16
` ?e,tneoin- Sout.zale Library=
.:_2, 4r,0
(7) 343
(7)
343
(8)
300
Totals
31,011
30
92
99
86 riachi n as avera -'c 362 votes
per
machine
92 t:;achines avarage 337 voters
per
machina
99 rlachi nas averaoa 313 voters
am
machi -ia
Corx�neats I have heard in talkin- to other Clerks who are using the Votomatic
syste -m ran-e from "if you can learn to live with a computer - - -" to "why would
you charge systems when you already have such a substantial investment in a good
machine ". I was reminded tiLat With the . Vutomatic a voter can spoi 1 his ballot
by voting for r•_ore than the property number of candidates. Our voting machines
have a safe guard against thus. While moving of voting machines has proved a
problem to other municipalities, we have been very fortunate in being able to
store a large number of machines in the schools, keeping tais cost to a miaimum.
I have received a verbal estimate of approximately $850 for second hand voting
machines of the sane type as we now use (up from $750 estimated last year).
There is also a possibility that machines could be rented for this election and
the rental apply to the cost, should we decide to buy additional machines. I
an waiting for further information on this from both Automatic Voting Machine
Sorporation and from Computer Election Systems.
Automatic Voting Machines Corporation tells me that they hope to come out with -
"something new" in four or five years. Unless we can find machines at a good
price, I think that it might be a good idea to rent the necessary machines and
see what this "new" development is to be.
January B. 1975
To: Warren C. Hyde, City Manager
From :. Florence Hallberg, City Clerk
Subject: Votomatic Demonstration
Mr. Lellbaeh's original recommendation for acquisition of 200
Votomatic devices was based on 30,229 voters. Since that proposal
was made, an additional 1,515 voters registered on election day,
bringing the total number of voters to 31,744.
According to Harold Sand, the following apartment units should be
eoepleted and occupied before the 1976 Presidential Election:
Precinct Units location `
5 150 Edina West
5 210 Viewcon
5 40 Londonderry
5 50 Single Family Dwellings
6 70 Nine Mile Village
12 150 Erickson High Rise
15 25 Hills of Braemar
16 272 Metram (72nd & York)
16 63 Roybet (Heritage Drive
1,030
Assuming two voters per unit on an average, this would increase
the number of potential voters by 2,060, making a total of approxi-
mately 33,604 voters. At this time, I would estimate that we
would need to acquire a minimum of 225 Votomatic voting devices
if we should decide to go with this system.
If it is decided to stay with the Automatic Voting Machines, we
would need 16 additional rachines before the 1976 election. (we
rented 6 machines before the 1974 election.) 102 Automatic Voting
Machines would average out to 330 voters per machine which would
be about right for the Presidential Election.
algs. R?-GISTERM VOTERS P3R PRECINCT
Est. lT
170 Ccrsu-, November 1, 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
569 Precinct 1 1516
1.062 2 2247
1,040 3 2419
899 4 1146
976 5 1269
558 6 1C32
924 7 1275
707 6 1741
1,136 9 2408
535 10 1707
700 11 1728
705 12 1422
535 13 1949
1,142 14 238
616 15 1720
1,260 16 1636
Total ns of Nov..1 30,229
Regizt. Elect. Day 1.515
Total r.�Z. Voters 31,744
Percent Voting 60.07%
AbSOnt Dnllot Anpl, 636
Absent Dallots Voted 557
0
C.E.S. EQUIPS EN''T RECON211ENDATIONS
200
Model IIIA Votomatics with
Unite Price
Amount
25
Self- contained Booths
@230.00 ea.
$46,000.00
16
Votomatic Demonstrators
@ 48.00 ea.
768.00
1
Ballott Assembly Aid -- 12
frame
125.00
1
CO2 Crimper
550.00 ea.
980.00
16
Transfer Cases
@ 20.00 ea.
320.00
1
Ballot Tab Computer
25,900.00
16
Ballot Boxes
@21.00 ea.
366.00
Votomatic Carrying/Storage
Containers
N/C
SUB -TOTAL
$74,429.00
Less: Trade -In
No. of Machines
Numbering Series
Unite Price
Amount
25
99,000
450.00 ea.
$11,250.00
11
106,000
500.00 ea.
5,500.00
40
110,000 /111,000
525.00 ea.
21,000.00
10
114,000
550.00 ea.
5,500.00
NET TOTAL $43,250.00
31,179.00
1) All prices quoted are helf firm for 60 days from date of letter.
2) F.O.B., Berkeley, California
COMPUTER ELECTION SYSTEMS 25 W 651 TOWPATH COURT. WHEATON. ILLINOIS 60187 [312) 653 -4422
Ty
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HALL ON
APRIL 14, 1975 AT
7:00 P.M.
Answering rollcall were members Richards, Shaw, Schmidt and Mayor Van Valkenburg.
VOTOMATIC DEVICE DEMONSTRATED. Mr. Ed Lellbach of Computer Election Systems,
Inc., demonstrated the Votomatic punch card voting device which he had presented
to Council on January 8, 1975. He again explained the procedure by which the
device operates and pointed out that advantages of the Votomatic over the
Automatic Voting Machines now.used by the City included ease of transporting to
the polling places, the ease of storage and the reduction in fall -off in vot-
ing toward the end of the ballot. Mr. Lellbach assured. Council that, if the
State of Minnesota did not approve the system, the a_.portinn.of the cost would
be returned. Mr. Lellbach also suggested that the Council go to the Hopkins
City Hall, both during the day and in the evening when the May 20, 1975, Hop-
kins School District Election results are being tabulated so that they could see,
just how the device actually works during an election. Following considerable
discussion, Councilman Shaw's motion was seconded by Councilwoman Schmidt
and carried, that the matter be continued so hat the Clerk could furnish
statistics on the cost of moving and repairing the Automatic Voting Machines,
the comparative costs of supplies for the two systems and consideration could
be given as to whether the City would want its own computer or buy the computer
offered by Computer Election Systems,' Inc.
PARK BOARD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUED TO APRIL 21', 1975. Mr. Jack Rice,
Chairman of the Park Board, introduced other members of the Park Board and the
Park Department staff. Using the view - graph, Mr. Rice made a slide presenta-
tion showing facilities and activities of the Park Board and estimated that
the park program has had 258,654 participants and 1,275 volunteer leaders over
the past year. Mr. Rice presented the Park Capital Improvements Program, cost
of which totalled $2,074,910 (not including land acquisition), a list of
immediate needs which should be completed by 1976 totalling $512,400 and a
"Facility Think List ", a copy of whic Program is attached hereto and made a
part of these minutes. Letters were noted from Mrs. Robert J. Schramm advis-
ing of her interest in an arts and crafts center and 'frum the Church of St.
Stephen the Martyr supporting the proposed addition of a hockey rink, skating
rink and warming house to the West of the tennis courts in Utley Park. The
letter also said that any and all additions to adjacent parking facilities
that could be used by the church on a year -round basis would be welcomed. Mr.
Rice referred to the report of the Open Space Committee and pointed out that
the Park Board was particularly interested in the acquisition of property on
McCauley Trail South, the Moore property on Mirror Lake, the Cahill School back
lot, the Hedberg property, the Carl Hansen property located in North Parkwood
Knolls area and the Rutledge house located in Rutledge Park. Mayor Van Valken-
burg pointed out that the open space report and the Park Board Capital Improve-
ments Program need not necessarily be tied together. Methods of financing the
proposals was discussed generally, with Mayor Van Valkenburg pointing out that
the Library Fund had not yet been earmarked for any particular use. Mr. Hyde
questioned the cost of maintaining some of the proposed improvements. He
suggested the possibility that the City might find itself with a park system
that it cannot afford to maintain and recommended that the staff make some
analyses on the maintenance costs, particularly with the additional lighting
and the irregation program. Mr. Rosland said that he had found that it would
be less expensive to irregate and maintain good turf than to replace the sod
continually. He added that the tennis lighting costs would be recovered by
user fees and that good park lighting should help prevent vandalism. Mr.
Dalen recommended that, if the Council wishes to proceed with the improvements,
a bond issue.should be axthorized which would give the people an opportunity to
decide if the cost is warranted. He added that the liquor revenues could be
used for park maintenance. Mr. Dalen suggested that the bond issue be kept
under $3,000,000 for the park and open space programs. Mr. Rice recalled that
the Park Board had voted unanimously not to go to a bond issue at this time in
view of present economic conditions and because of the feeling that it would be
tied to open space. Mr. Richard Seaberg, 6108 Arctic Way, said that the
Arctic Hills Homeowners' Association is conderned about the program outlined
and that they would favor ideas expressed by Mr. Dalen. Mrs. Margaret Maki,
4520 Oxford Ave., asked if funds could be obtained in connection with the land
trade from Radisson South and where the second pool would be located. Mayor
Van Valkenburg said that discussion as to the Radisson South property had not
gone far enough to give an answer on that question. Mr. Rice said that there
4/14/75
is still a..question as to whether the second pool is actually needed at this
time. Mayor Van Valkenburg added that vandalism in the parks is a very real
problem. Mr. Frank Thorpe, 4614 Edina Blvd., said that his family would work
with the City in the financing of the improvement of Utley Park. Mr. Clifton
French, former Edina Director of Parks and Recreation and Superintendent of the
Hennepin.County Park Reserve District, said that he did not know of another
municipality in the area that was doing a better job with their park system
and said that he was excited with.the progress that the Park Board had made.
Councilwoman Schmidt referred to the Governmental Commission Report which
pointed out that the City should be looking forward to the use of vacant land.
Councilman Richards said that the Park Board is still in need of funds just to
maintain the program as it now exists and suggested that the matter be placed on
an early agenda. Mr. Shaw then moved that the City Manager and his staff look
into and evaluate the Park Board's proposals and Mr. Dalen's recommendation of a
$3,000,000 bond iysue and bring their recommendations back to Council by April
21, 1975 (but no later than May 5, 1975). Motion was seconded by Councilwoman
Schmidt and carried. Mr. Rosland reminded the Council that the Art Center will
have to be rebid if the bid is not let within thirty days.
MAYOR'S "THINK LIST" DISCUSSED. Mayor Van Valkenburg recalled that his "Think
List" had originally been presented to Council and January and asked that items
thereon be discussed. Discussion then ensued and action was taken on the follow -
ing subjects as hereinafter recorded:
Smaller Planning Zones or Classifications - Councilman Richards' motion was
seconded by Councilwoman Schmidt and carried that the Planner and City Attorney
work together to make recommendations as to how such a change, which would tend
to reduce densities, could be legally implemented.
Posting Signs to Label Rezoning Areas - Councilman Shaw's motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Schmidt and carried, that the Planner should check with other
municipalities that post legal notices on property proposed to be rezoned and
obtain copies of their ordinances for study.
Halla Property - Mr. Hyde advised that he had heard nothing recently in.regard
to the Halla property..
Highway 5 and Cahill Road - Mr. Hyde advised that nothing is pending for this ..
area, to his knowledge.
Edina Art Center - Mr. Rosland advised that it appeared that patrons of the
arts group could not raise the $140,000 to build the center, but could raise
funds for its furnishings. He said that it appeared that the project should.be
close to self- sustaining. The Mayor told Mr. Rosland to let the Council know
when they could be of any help.
Colonial Church Building - Mayor Van Valkenburg said that the question had been
raised as-to:.whether the:Colonial.Church building could be used as an activity
center after the church moves into its proposed new building.
_Presidents'. Council (Volunteer Athletic Organizations) - Mayor Van Valkenburg
suggested the possibility of various athletic organizations joining together
for purposes of buying insurance in a package and for other joint purchasing.
Mr. Rosland said that joint purchase of insurance had not proven to be benefitial.
Purchase of a bus was also considered. Mr. Rosland said that he would send out
a letter to people who would be interested in bussing to see what their recom-
mendations.would be.
Exchange of Board and Commission Minutes - Mr. Hyde said that he would send a
memo to the secretary of each commission and committee advising that they should
submit copies of their minutes to all other boards and commissions.
Limit of Tenure on Commissions — Rotation of Chairmanship of Commissions -
It was generally agreed that the staff will tell their commissions and boards .
that the Council is considering setting a limit of tenure of.membership and
is also considering rotating the chairmanship of these groups. The Council
will be advised.of their opinions on the subject.
Staff and Secretarial Assignments - Mayor Van Valkenburg asked that he be kept
.apprised of the staff member and secretary assigned to work with each commis-
sion and board.
Human Relations Commission - Mr. Hyde said that he believed that much of the
problem with the Human Relations Commission was that there has been no one staff
person assigned to the Commission. He pointed out that Mr. Joel Jennings is the
new chairman and that Mr. Melena is the staff person who will be working with
the Commission.
Commission and Board Attendance Reports - Mayor Van Valkenburg said that the
staff person working with each commission and board was responsible for furn-
ishing him with attendance reports of members.
Youth Action - Mr. Hyde advised that the Human Relations Commission feels that
Youth Action is an outgrowth of the Human Relations Commission and that he thinks
that Council will receive a request for City funding in the 1976 Budget.
South Hennepin Human Services - Councilwoman Schmidt reported that the South
Hennepin Human Services might be getting into a large area of control as far
4/14/75
as being a clearing house for all types of social action in the South Hennepin
area because of the diversification of services from Hennepin County into the
various municipalities. She added that Hennepin County may feel that if the
municipalities are benefitting from the services provided by South Hennepin
Human Services, that the municipalities should show their interest by some fund-
ing.
Drugs - Councilwoman Schmidt advised that the Human Services Couneil is holding
workshops on drugs. Mr. Hyde questioned the expertise of the Council and
wondered if the drug problem could not be better served by Youth Action.
Governmental Commission - Mr. Hyde said that Mr. Kermit Wilson is out of town
and that he will call him again upon his return to set a date for a meeting of
the Governmental Commission and the Council.
MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MEETING DISCUSSED. Councilwoman Schmidt reported
that she had attended the meeting for Mayors and Council Members and that there
were only about eight persons present. She said that everyone thought that the
organization was a good idea but that no decision was made on how the group
could be effective. It had been the concensus of opinion of the group that the
Hennepin County League had been effective until the City of Minneapolis became
a member. Mr. Hyde emphasized that there must be some organization to fight
the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Mr. Dalen suggested that the
Mayors group working with local Chambers of Commerce would be a logical vehicle
to take this action.
SOUTHDALE BOWL AGREEMENT REACHED. Mr. Hyde reported that Southdale Bowl had
signed an agreement which was satisfactory and that he will now grant licenses
for the same number of machines that they had last year (8 pinball and 25 mech-
anical amusement machines), subject to a signed statement from Mr. William
Erickson agreeing to comply with a list of conditions worked out by Captain
Wrobleski.
No further business appearing, Councilman Shaw's motion for adjournment was
seconded by Councilman Richards and carried. Adjournment at 10:20 p.m.
City Clerk
Cl