Community & Human Services Cte Minutes 11-02-1988 . �
MINUTES
Community and Human Services Committee
• November 2, 1988
1:00 P.M.
Council Chambers
The meeting began at 1:25 p.m. It was not called to order at this time due to the lack
of a quorum.
Janice Rettman, Chair, noted that the following item will be laid over, at Bill Wilson's
request: City Council Agenda 10/13/88, Item No. 18: Resolution - 88-1656 - Supporting
the allocation of adequate levels of federal funding for the purpose of providing
retirement programs to benefit the dedicated Community Action Employees of America.
(FOR ACTION.) (Referred to Community and Human ServicPS Committee at Bill Wilson's
request.)
Rettman then discussed City Council Agenda 10/6/88, Item No. 18: Resolution - 88-1617 -
Whereby the Saint Paul Board of Health designates the City of Saint Paul as its fiscal
agent, and authorizing proper City officials to contract on its behalf with the State
Department of Health. Terry Sullivan, Assistant City Attorney's Office, requested that
his office be given two weeks to research this. Rettman noted this is a resolution
which came from Judy Barr, which would establish that the City Council could act as a
fiscal agent. Terry Sullivan will draft appropriate resolutions or ordinances to address
the intent expressed by Council Members. This was laid over to November 30, 1988, at
which time the draft will be available.
• The next item Rettman suggested discussing at this time was City Council Agenda 8/25/88,
Item No. 30: Resolution - 88-1408 - Requesting the Administration to review the report
and recommendations of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission and any information available
through the Attorney General`s Task Force on Violence Against Women. (FOR REFERRAL TO
THE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES CO2�IITTEE.) (Preliminary drafts to be reviewed.)
Paula Maccabee, Special Assistant Attorney General, stated that the Attorney General
has appointed a 20-member Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Women.
She noted that three major preliminary recou�endations of the Task Force are: 1) Look
to see what can be done to protect women from rape by controlling rapists; e.g., better
control of the rapist; 2) Long-term education and other intervention to reduce the risk
of rape; 3) What can be done throughout Minnesota to improve victim services. She observed
that the Task Eorce will establish priorities and release the final report early in
December. Many of the recommendations address sentencing guidelines. Structured sentences
are being considered (this could include both a prison sentence and follow-through in
treatment). Maccabee stated that presently, there are 400 rapists in prison in Minnesota,
but there is only bed space for 80. Reconmendations will be targeted at the schools,
recommending a curriculum; encouraging employers to adopt sexual harassment policies;
allowing victims the necessary time to get help when they have been assaulted; encourage
a variety of community groups to participate in sexual assault prevention.
At this point, the meeting convened by Janice Rettman because there was a quorum. The
following were in attendance: Janice Rettman, Chair; Bob Long, Councilmember;
Roger Goswitz, Councilmember; Tom Dimond, Councilmenber; Terry Sullivan, City Attorney's
Office Office; Joe Collins, Legislative Aide; Jim Murphy, Program Analyst; and
Barbara Benson, Secretary.
• Due to the lateness of Council Members, the minutes of October 19, 1988 were not discussed.
They will not be reproduced with the next meeting notification, but will appear as a line
item on the next agenda.
. �
MINUTES
• Community and Human Services Committee Meeting
November 2, 1988
Page Two
Rettman continued the discussion with Maccabee, noting that she would like this brought
back to the Committee when the recommendations are submitted in the form of a plan.
They may be addressed in a legislative committee; they could then be adopted as
legislative priorities. Maccabee stated that the Task Force is not looking at parking
ramps, but stressed that they did not consider the issue unimportant. She requested that
she be apprised of the issue; Rettman assured her that she will be notified as to when
the review will be completed.
Jerry Segal, Assistant City Attorney, addressed a draft ordinance submitted by
Roger Goswitz, dealing with parking lots, parking ramps, parking facilities. This
includes any parking facility where more than 10 vehicles are parked and where there
is a charge made for parking, regardless of ownership. This excludes parking areas
used exclusively by tenants of a residential building; it may apply to a parking facility
owned by a company where the employees park when there is a fee charged for parking.
There are inclusion of certain safety elements, among them: 1) All open lots shall be
lit so that all spaces may be observed from the adjoining public streets ...;
2) There shall be surveillance of all areas of all enclosed parking ramps or buildings
in which attendants do not par� all of the vehicles for the entire period that the
parking lot is in operation; 3) On and after January 1, 1990, the lighting in every part
of all enclosed parking ramps or buildings in which attendants do not park all vehicles
• shall be a minimum of five foot candles at all times, measured at a level of five feet
above the ground; 4) All access to enclosed parking ramps or buildings shall be through
secured entrances during all hours of operation; 5) All enclosed parking ramps or
buildings in which attendants do not park all of the vehicles shall be in compliance
with Building Code regulations, and, in particular, fire suppression equipment and
emergency alarms/phones for elevators; 6) All enclosed parking ramps or buildings with
three or more floors shall provide escort service for all customers who request such
service; 7: All enclosed parking ramps or buildings which provide escort service shall
post a sign at all entrances clearly defining the service.
Lt. Larry McDonald, Saint Paul Police Department, and Wendy Lane, Building Inspection
and Design Division, joined in the discussion at this point. Lane discussed zoning
requirements in terms of parking lots. Rettman queried Lt. McDonald as to whether
residential lots basically for residents should be excluded. McDonald answered that
they should be excluded. Discussion ensued regarding retrofitting according to the
dates in the draft, requirement for licenses, security personnel/standards in
licensing, monitoring equipment, and safety requirements.
Jim Murphy will meet with Segal and McDonald regarding this issue. The final preliminary
draft will be readied by December 7, 1988 for formal review and submission to the City
Council.
The next item discussed was an update on the Health merger issue. Jim 0'Leary, staff
person working on the Health merger, stated that periodically the City Council has
been requested to convene as a Board of Health. They have not been doing so. Since
early summer, they (the inference "they" meaning the City staff working on the merger)
• have been working with County staff on the preparation of a document which will be
going before the County Board. 0'Leary noted the County Board will be receiving an
administrative update on November 22; he added that it will probably be November 29,
MINUTES
Community and Human Services Co�ittee
• November 2, 1988
Page Three
1988 before the County Board will be adopting a resolution which authorizes staff to
develop a merger plan. He noted a copy of the report will be going to the County
Co�issioners in the next several days, stating it is presently at the printers'. A
copy of this will be sent to each of the Council Members. 0'Leary explained that it is
essentially a synopsis of the issues surrounding the merger. 0'Leary noted that hP met
with City and County Personnel Offices. A number of issues need to be clarified; e.g.,
salaries, position clarification, etc. 0'Leary stated that staff will be meeting with
the bargaining units on November 17. Some program descriptions have been worked on in
anticipation of the County Board's approval. The personnel component has not been set
up;this will be done as soon as approval has been given by the.County. 0'Leary agreed
to share with the City Council the stance of all of the parties involved and any material
disseminated. Timeline was discussed. 0'Leary assented the timeline is still the same,
but will be quite tight; he stated it is achievable by mid to late January, 1990. He
emphasized that personnel is the key issue. He added there will be a complete merger.
The County can adopt ordinances very similar to the City. 0'Leary observed that at this
point of structuring, the intent is to transfer all operations.
Judy Barr, Division of Public Health, addressed the Health merger. She stated that on
August 15, 1988, the County hired a new Public Health Director, Robert Fulton. She
indicated that she is working closely with 0'Leary on the merger issue. She stated that
at this time, Fulton is not working with the City, but that he will be the director of
the combined services. Rettman inquired if there is any intent of some staff moving out
• of the building; Barr answered in the negative. Discussion ensued regarding Ramsey County
Public Health Administration offices moving to the Public Health Center and addition of
a third floor to the latter. Opposition was voiced due to the prime real estate factor.
Rettman suggested to Barr that prior to any staff relocation arrangement outside of City
structures, she would request that the issue come before this Committee. Barr noted she
had "no problem" with this being a monthly discussion. She added that the American Center
Building is being purchased by the County;�it is being remodeled, a portion at a time.
Discussion ensued regarding the relocation of the food inspectors; Barr stated this
occurred due to the lack of space. Rettman observed this occurred absent the City
Council's involvement.
The next items discussed were:
City Council Agenda 10/6/88, Item No. 6: First Reading - 88-1611 - An ordinance amending
Chapter 293 of the Legislative Code pertaining to noise regulations by modifying notice
requirements of applications for variances and providing for newspaper publication.
(FOR REFERRAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.) (Laid over to November 2,
1988 so that Councilmember Sonnen may be present.); and
City Council Agenda 10/6/88, Item No. 23: Resolution - 88-1622 - Setting fee for
processing noise variance application. (FOR REFERRAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMITTEE.) (Laid over to November 2, 1988 so that Councilmember Sonnen may be present.)
Molly 0'Rourke, Kiki Sonnen's Legislative Aide, addressed this ordinance and resolution.
This ordinance would amend Section 293.11 of the Legislative Code. The Division of
Public Health will notify all property owners within 200 feet of the source of the noise
. instead of the current limit of 350 feet. Also, if the Division finds there are more
than 150 property owners inside this 200-foot limit, they may, at their discretion,
• MINUTES
Community and Human Services Committee
November 2, 1988
Page Four
only notify the 150 property owners who would be the most affected by the noise. If
there are more than 150 property owners who will be affected within the 200-foot
limit, the Division shall publish a notice in newspapers of general circulation and,
if feasible, in neighborhood newspapers. Rettman noted that language had been omitted
regarding notification of city councilmembers and district planning councils whose
areas are affected. 0'Rourke noted that this would be fine with Councilmember Sonnen;
that is, to add the language back in. A motion was made by Bob Long to recommend this
for approval, with the amendment to add back in at the end of (d)(1) the following
language: The division shall also notify the city councilmember(s) and district
planning council(s) whose areas are affected. This passed on a 4-0 vote.
Peter Kishel, Division of Public Health, addressed the resolution setting fee for
processing noise variation. A fee of $150.00 is currently being collected. No fee
has been established--thus, this resolution will establish a minimum fee of $150.00
and authorizes the Division of Public Health to charge an applicant more than the
minimum to recoup all out-of-pocket expenses realized in sending out notices.
Bob Long made a motion that this resolution be recommended for approval. This passed
on a 4-0 vote.
• The last item for discussion concerned City Council Agenda 9/20/88, Item No. 8:
Resolution - 88-1515 - Foregoing any and all interest in developing a first class
park on property described as Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Saint Paul Park
Acre Lots in Newport, Minnesota, conveyed by Gordon and May Bailey, and agreeing with
Washington county that Newport, Minnesota should be the owner of said property. (FOR
ACTION.) (Laid over to October 19, 1988, at the request of the Division of Parks and
Recreation. (Laid over to November 2, 1988 for work-up by City Attorney.) Jim Hart,
City Attorney's Office, completed a workup on this iten. He outlined the quit claim
deed process in a letter to Janice Rettman, as the Chair of this Committee; among the
issues he addressed were timely acceptance, terminology of first class public park,
and joint development. Tom Dimond observed that the major issue to his is the process.
He stated this is a valuable piece of property and has the potential of being an asset
to the City of Saint Paul. Discussion ensued regarding involving input from the
community, Friends of the Parks, and other interested groups. Jack Perovich, from
Washington County, informed the Committee that if Saint Paul takes steps to acquire
this property, it is his feeling that Washington County administrators would exercise
their right to the property. Discussion ensued regarding definition of first class
park. Dimond stated that if Washington County wants to develop the property, that is
fine, but if not, the City of Saint Paul should not relinquish the property.
It was the consensus of the group that Perovich will seek direction from the County
Commissioners in this matter. There will be an update by Perovich at the December 7,
1988 Community and Human Services Committee meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
•