HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.24.75 Special Council Minutes APPROVED 4/7/715'
MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL
MARCH 24, 1975
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by the Mayor
Present: Mayor Daily, Trustees Akin, Kuchera, McElmury
Absent: Trustee Graphenteen
Also Present: Administrator Ford and Assistant Rick Anderson
The Mayor noted for the record that this special meeting had been called by
him through written notice mailed March 20, 1975, a copy of which was sent
to the Dakota County Tribune.
The reason for the meeting was to review a resolution which had been presented
to councilman Pat Akin at a meeting of Dakota County Communities hosted by the
Dakota County Board of Commissioners. The loosely organized committee of
communities required an official response immediately.
The resolution stipulated several roles now played by Metropolitan agencies,
the threat of additional roles and powers being granted through pending
legislation, an assertion that many powers and authority now wielded by Metro
Agencies had been usurped or assumed, that the Metro agencies were originally
intended to advise and coordinate but now were, in fact, legislating and
coercing.
The resolution before the council and for which council support was being sought
was intended to bring the problem before the public and the legislature, to
reverse the trend toward a full-fledged metropolitan level of government and to
reassert the necessary and desirable status of local government.
The council was informed that all 33 signatories to the resolution were being
requested to adopt the resolution as it stands and in its entirety even though
a certain community might not agree with a specific facet of the resolution.
The committee in charge felt that the rush of time would not permit a rash of
amendments and excisions. All were being asked to adopt it in principle and
were free to retain whatever reservations they wished concerning specific items.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the intent of the committee was
worthwhile and agreed in principle with their objectives. All felt that the
legislature had gone "too far down the road" toward area government, that the,
metropolitan agencies had become too strong and that a clear and present danger
existed which threatened the survival of local government in the area.
The council expressed unanimous and specific disagreement with the position of
the committee expressed in paragraph three. This part of the resolution called
for the defeat in the legislature of the Minnesota Municipal Commission -
sponsored and LMM-endorsed bill dealing with annexations, mergers and separations.
The council defected in this instance on the following grounds:
1. It addressed itself to a bill dealing with a quasi-judicial state
agency and was not remotely connected with the Metro Agencies.
2. Because it was inappropriate and was unconnected it tended to reduce
the specificity of the resolution and consequently to weaken it.
3. Although the MMC bill, as written, may have some disagreeable
features, it aims to correct certain oversights and miscalculations
in the original MMC Act which renders the presumed legislative
intent inoperative.
Motion by Kuchera, second by McElmury that resolution #R36-75 entitled "Authorizing
t—Y fining of a Joint Resolution to Curb e Powers an Aut ority F;hmot trion cCouncdll'
Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera approving the use of council chambers by the
Cancer Society on April 23, 1975. APIF, motion carried.
Motion by McElmury, second by Kuchera that Resolution #R37-75 accepting the resignation
of Councilman Graphenteen be amended by changing the effective date from March 31,
to April 8. The Mayor, prior to calling for a vote, informed the council that such
action meet with Mr. Graphenteen's approval. APIF, motion carried.
Motion made and carried to adjourn at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
William J. Ford
City Administrator