Informational Meeting

Notice to the Public: Due to computer failure which occurred during this meeting, ‘time stamping’ is not available on this set of minutes. MINUTES Monday, March 7, 2011 Informational Meeting 4:00 PM at Carnegie Town Hall Sioux Falls City Council 235 West Tenth Street Members Present: Sue Aguilar, Kenny Anderson Jr., Vernon Brown, James Entenman, Michelle Erpenbach, Greg Jamison and Rex Rolfing Members Absent: Mayor Mike T. Huether Staff Present: Debra A. Owen, City Clerk/Chief of Council Operations and Tamara Jorgensen, CMC, Assistant City Clerk 1. Call To Order Council Chair Greg Jamison called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Council Member Kenny Anderson Jr. made a statement regarding the Land Use Committee Meeting on February 28, 2011. 2. City Council Staff Report A. Debra A. Owen, City Clerk/Chief of Council Operations Owen gave the City Council an update on the City Council Northwest District vacancy and the procedures that will occur to fill the vacancy. Forms for applicants (who must reside in the Northwest District) are available at the city's website at www.siouxfalls.org. or at the City Clerk's office at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. 10th Street. Owen gave an overview of procedural information regarding Robert's Rules of Order and city ordinances. Specific updates were given regarding action taken at the Land Use Committee Meeting held on February 28, 2011. Discussion was held regarding possible ordinance changes regarding voting procedures. Jamison reminded the Council of the rules for abstaining from a discussion and a vote on an item if the Council Member has a conflict of interest with the item. Owen stated that Council always has the ability to call for a "Point Of Order"  which will enable the Chair to have time with the Parliamentarian to ensure that the proper terminology/motions/votes, etc. are being utilized. Presentations were heard at this time. 3. Land Use Committee A. Report from meeting held on Monday, February 28, 2011 Erpenbach gave updates regarding the Land Use Committee Meeting in reference to: RV Parking concerns and an odd shaped lot; the zoning amendment process update from the Planning Department; and the committee's visioning discussion conducted along with a presentation from Community Development. Discussion was held regarding the Build It Downtown portion of the agenda. 4. City Council Open Discussion Discussion was held regarding the need for the City Council to be ready, willing and able to listen to citizens regarding all aspects of citizen needs and concerns. Discussion was held regarding future procedures for adding items to Committee Agendas. Past practice has been that the Agendas are approved by the Committee Chair and distributed to the members of the Committee, the Mayor’s Staff, the Directors and to the media in ample time for reviewing the items. If a Committee member has a question or a concern, they can contact the Committee Chair before the meeting to discuss the item. After discussion, it was determined that committee meetings should remain open for public discussions about any issues that are important to the public. Committees can continue to invite outside groups to present at a committee meeting. Council Members would like to see ordinance revisions occur that would incorporate Roberts Rules of Order to replace existing ordinances. This request has been assigned to the Public Services Committee for immediate review. Discussion was held regarding whether or not discussions about the Events Center should be assigned to a committee. The public has not been included in these discussions in the past. Current Events Center updates held at Informational Meetings do not allow for public input or discussion, and committee meetings do. The public would appreciate being included and involved with the process and having more of a collaborative effort in the process. The public has been in contact with Council Members about having more ownership in the project instead of having the impression that they are going to receive a ‘do you want this or that’ scenario given to them after the process is done.  Discussion was held regarding the Whittier neighborhood discussion from last week’s Informational Meeting and the demolition of a fire ravaged house. Additional updates will be forthcoming to the Council. Erpenbach recommended using ‘before and after’ pictures when events like this occur. The local media is covering this story and will have additional information in the future. Erpenbach and Brown will be at the Hy-Vee at 10th and Kiwanis on Saturday, March 12, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. to meet the public and answer questions about the Northwest District vacancy on the City Council and to answer any other questions from the public. Entenman stated that the Summit League Basketball Championships are being held in the city this week. All involved are doing an excellent job in the coordination for these tournaments and it is a great addition to the city. Anderson Jr. stated he did an interview with KELO regarding Arena/Convention Center, Orpheum Theater, to get them to get the stage at the Coliseum certified and he wanted to thank the Arena and the Mayor for realizing that sharing or utilizing equipment between the city entities is a good way to save money and encourage good faith between the entities. At this time, Aguilar wished her mother “Happy Birthday” as today is her 80th birthday. This news was received with applause and best wishes from the Council. 5. Presentations A. I.R.S. Audit by Beth Feuchtenberger, Eide Bailly, LLP, and Chris Fideler, Murphy Goldammer & Prendergast Law Firm. Introductions by Bill O'Toole, Director of Human Resources B. Sanitary Sewer Update by Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works 6. Adjournment Council Chair Greg Jamison adjourned the meeting at 5:27 p.m. Tamara Jorgensen, CMC Assistant City Clerk