02-14 Work Session /„ , G CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Work Session
N.
February 14, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore Howard at 6:15 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Michael Howard, Mayor Pro Tempore; Edwina Garcia; and Pat Elliott
Present:
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez
Absent:
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Pam Dmytrenko,
Assistant City Manager/HR Manager; Jared Voto, Executive Aide/Analyst
Item #1 Discussion regarding City insurance of sewer lines (Council Memo No. 16)
Robert Hall, 7309 Oliver Ave S, handed out and read prepared remarks regarding sewer line
warranty.
Council members asked how the current program with Service Line Warranty of America
(SLWA) is operating, are other cities insuring service lines, and if any other cities or the League of
Minnesota Cities had been contacted regarding this issue.
City Manager Devich responded that other cities are using SLWA and could get this
information if the Council requested staff to do further research.
Council Member Elliott stated he had worked with self-insured companies and some are
profitable and other catastrophic failures. He stated this goes beyond services typically done by city
staff and would require more information and analysis to understand if this would work for the city.
City Attorney Tietjen stated there are fundamental legal questions with insuring private
property and the ability or authority for the City to protect private property.
City Manager Devich asked Council if staff should look further into the proposal.
Council members discussed the legal questions and additional information that would be
needed to understand the proposal and directed staff to gather more information.
Item #1 Discussion regarding the Council Rules of Procedure and Decorum (Council
Memo No. 17)
Special Work Session Minutes -2- February 14,2017
City Attorney Tietjen presented background on the Council Rules of Procedure and Decorum
and a proposed update to the Rules. The update relates to bringing the Rules into compliance with
laws and existing practice. She also highlighted Rule sections that are important for the Council to be
aware of.
Council members discussed the abstention rule.
Council Member Elliott discussed the usage of Skype or other technology to attend meetings
even when away on business or other circumstances prevent attending the meeting in-person.
Tietjen and Assistant City Manager/HR Manager Dmytrenko responded there are specific
notice requirements and technical issues for attending meeting from an off-site location and it is
available to the Council, if they request it.
Council Member Howard asked if there were any changes to the Rules that required changes
to how Council meetings proceed currently.
Dmytrenko responded that there are not. The Rules are updated to current practice.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:57 p.m.
Date Approved: February 28, 2017
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