Agendas and Minutes

City Council (View All)

Regular Meeting

Agenda
Monday, July 01, 2013

  MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING 
Monday, July 1, 2013
Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street

 
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 8:27 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers.
 
ROLL CALL
Councilor Voisin, Morris, Slattery, Rosenthal and Marsh were present. Councilor Lemhouse was absent.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Study session of June 17, 2013, Business Meeting of June 18, 2013, Special Meeting of June 25, 2013 and Executive Session of June 25, 2013 were approved as presented.
 
CONSENT AGENDA 
1.   Approval of minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees
 
Councilor Slattery/Morris m/s to approve Consent Agenda item. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
 
PUBLIC FORUM
Samantha Nixon/294 Beach Street/Spoke regarding her desire to ban plastic bags.  She shared examples of how these plastic bags are being harmful to the environment and requested that the council consider an ordinance that would ban plastic bags.
 
NEW BUSINESS
1.   Approval of plan for Plaza enhancements
 
Councilor Marsh/Slattery m/s as an experiment council direct staff to purchase six sets of tables with two chairs to be placed on the plaza. DISCUSSION: Councilor Marsh stated that the plaza is the main focal point for downtown and providing this additional seating potential would only enhance the area.  Councilor Slattery voiced his concern with the cost associated although he liked the idea.  He shared examples of how other areas in the downtown area do provide this additional seating and pointed out that what is missing is the “desire” to provide this, which includes set-up and take-down. Councilor Morris would support trying this as an experiment and shared examples of other cities that have made this work.  Councilor Voisin does not believe that the support and resources are available for this to happen.  Councilor Rosenthal stated that if the plaza was a primary place for people to sit he might feel differently but understands that the new plaza is an improvement and will not meet all the desires of the public.  Mayor Stromberg stated that the basic idea is a good idea but understands the logistics of making this work.  He suggested that the motion be withdrawn until there is a full council in attendance.  Councilor Slattery clarified that he could not support this unless there was a process set for taking care of the furniture.
 
Councilor Marsh with Councilor Slattery agreement withdrew the motion.
 
Councilor Marsh motioned that staff provide a budget for providing flowerpots in the plaza.  Motion died due to lack of second.
 
City Administrator requested further information and direction from staff in order to provide a budget. 

Councilor Slattery/Rosenthal m/s that staff not proceed with flowerpots on that plaza at this time. DISCUSSION: Councilor Slattery felt that this was not the time to make further changes and that we should proceed carefully on how the plaza is handled.  Councilor Rosenthal noted that the City had accepted a generous donation and that now is not the time to increase the subsidy for the plaza.  Council Voisin agreed that now is not the time to spend additional money on the plaza.  Councilor Morris agreed that it was not timely at this time.  Councilor Marsh felt that the City could do more to improve the plaza. 
Roll Call Vote: Councilor Voisin, Slattery and Rosenthal, YES; Councilor Morris and Marsh, NO. Motion approved 3-2.
 
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
 
  
                         
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder                            
John Stromberg, Mayor

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