Laserfiche WebLink
stated she would provide guidance on legal research and analysis. At the end of the project, <br /> students would make a presentation on their findings to the City Council and EPB. The course <br /> lasts until May of next year and they hope they can work with Ramsey. <br /> Councilmember Wise stated he does not see a need for this and asked what policies . they would <br /> help to clarify. <br /> Senior Planner Gladhill explained the work plan of the EPB. He noted that during a joint Work <br /> Session with the Planning Commission and City Council, incentive based programs were <br /> identified as well as the need to balance property rights with sustainable design practices. This <br /> would be an opportunity to gain research from students instead of by staff. <br /> Councilmember Elvig stated during some trips to Las Vegas for the ICSC Conference, he heard <br /> speakers address sustainable design in a retail environment such as water recharge or rain garden <br /> runoff. He felt this group could shed some light on those design practices. <br /> Councilmember Strommen stated she sees this as a good opportunity to have the EPB get outside <br /> help and a perspective that is beneficial and fits what they were going to do anyway. She <br /> explained she has known Ms. Coleman a number of years and has no doubt the City will learn <br /> something. Councilmember Strommen stated it will be up to the Council to decide what they <br /> want to do with the information and felt there was no downside. <br /> Mayor Ramsey noted the Council already repealed the wetland buffering ordinance because it <br /> felt the ordinance resulted in a taking and impacted property rights. He stated he would not <br /> oppose the request if he thought the resulting recommendations would be something the City <br /> could implement. However, if the group comes in with recommendations the Council opposes, <br /> involves property rights issues, or is cost prohibitive to development, the Council would be in a <br /> position of declining a professional recommendation. He felt it was the Council's responsibility <br /> to balance those recommendations with what it felt would protect citizens. <br /> Ms. Coleman explained that one of the benefits in working with Ramsey is that students would <br /> be challenged to balance property rights with environmental goals. She noted many communities <br /> face that balancing decision and she felt the work could be structured and the focus narrowed to <br /> areas where the Council would see value, added background research, and alternatives. Ms. <br /> Coleman stated it would be fascinating to test any recommendation from a development <br /> proforma on a cost prospective and valuable to see if the recommendation exceeds a cost benefit <br /> ratio or fits within it. She indicated there are incentive based programs or programs that offer <br /> alternative paths to achieve economic, development, and environmental goals for the City and <br /> community. She assured the Council they can craft the areas of focus and allow students to learn <br /> about the challenge of balancing property rights with environmental goals. <br /> Councilmember Elvig stated he embraces the opportunity to have new ideas brought forward <br /> because the Council needs more "tools," concepts, and incentive based ideas if it is going to get <br /> that balance. <br /> City Council Work Session / October 18, 2011 <br /> Page 2 of 11 <br />