05-30-06 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
May 30, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:16 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Bill Kilian; Sue Sandahl; and Fred
Wroge.
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety
Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager;
Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to City Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording
Secretary.
Staff Present:
Item # I
Mayor Kirsch stated tonight's Special City Council Worksession was an opportunity for the
City Council to discuss sites for a proposed new City Hall and decisions cannot be made. A site
selection will be decided at a future Regular City Council meeting.
City Manager Devich discussed the following:
· Significant capital improvement projects and future financial debt considerations for 2006,
2007 and 2008/2009.
· Meeting with Hennepin County library officials regarding upcoming capital projects and
potential partnering in the future related to Augsburg Park library.
· Letter from the DNR regarding Veterans Memorial Park conversion requirements for the
use of parkland. The parcels on the corner of 66th Street/Portland Avenue are not included
as parkland.
The City Council discussed the site selection options for a proposed new City Hall, including
location, foot print, use of parkland, need for structured parking, one or two story building.
Council Member Wroge said they are not here tonight to decide bonding. He thought tonight's
Worksession was held to try to come to a consensus where to build a new City Hall, if and when
approved to go ahead with it. It appears like the discussion of financing is a negative outcome and
the City is not able to afford a new City Hall. If the City Manager thinks it's not affordable, he can take
that on.
Council Member Sandahl stated the bonding discussion was held at her request to make it
clear to the public that a new City Hall is a future project. The City Council discussed proposed new
City Hall sites approximately a month ago at a Worksession and they were not in agreement. At her
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May 30, 2006
request, the City Council is meeting again to see if a consensus can be reached on location. All City
Council agree with the task force recommendation that a new City Hall is needed.
Council Member Kilian stated the City Hall Task Force II membership was approximately 17
people, one of whom was Council Member Wroge, and about one-half the membership regularly
attended meetings. There are 35,000 people in Richfield and the task force of nine or ten people
decided the City Hall should be on the current site because it is the place of least resistance since it's
already here. There is a need to be a bit more progressive and look at other alternatives that may
better serve the community in 50-60 years if the building is here. It is his observation this location
was decided because it's already here. From the task force's point of view, they couldn't take any
property, couldn't take any parkland, and couldn't take anything that the City didn't own, so that left
the current garage site and this site. The current site is small, needs structured parking, which is very
expensive and the cost is a concern. He said he could assure that money is a concern to the
residents. The phone calls he's received from those who don't live adjacent to a park challenge the
need for a new City Hall and do have concerns regarding cost. He said he received more negative
calls about the golf driving facility than building a City Hall in the park.
Council Member Kilian said the City's current Comprehensive Plan includes the committee's
desire for the commercial area adjacent to Veterans Park, at some point, be all parkland or quasi-
public land. Currently, the American Legion is zoned single family and the mortuary is zoned
commercial. He stated his concern that the land, if not acquired by the City, could be developed into
a use not compatible with the park.
Council Member Kilian said it is his impression that some people believe that unless the City
Hall absolutely stays here, the way it is, nothing else will be satisfactory. He said it may be a nice
thing to have City Hall or City services by a park - there could be a relatively low impact and
improved property maintenance.
Council Member Kilian said that, on the table, is additional parking in Veterans Park because
it's needed. Not isolating City Hall needs to be considered and not considering what's around it is not
what the community deserves. There are two anchor points - 66th Street/Cedar Avenue and 66th
Street/Portland Avenue. There is development on the eastside that could be continued along 66th
Street, which is a main street for public transportation. There is a need for parking at Veterans Park
and City Hall but at different times of day so there could be less paving. A green type of building
should be considered.
Council Member Kilian stated he did not look at Augsburg Park as reality for a City Hall. He
suggested a dual-track process to go to the community with more than one choice. One choice is to
keep the City Hall here, build an economic building and replace Heredia Park land to Veterans Park,
maybe annex the back part of the Legion parking lot. The argument that the neighborhood is used to
the noise is really selfish and not a deciding factor. Neighborhood street parking during construction,
if City Hall is not moved, should be avoided.
Council Member Kilian said a compromise could be a dual track process with a footprint on
the current site as is and develop, in parallel, a fit on a larger site that's more economical from the
idea of structured parking. If one of the businesses leaves, he said he hoped the City would not let
some other commercial entity go in with no City control.
Mayor Kirsch said it sounds like probably the sites have been narrowed down somewhat from
the past. He said it appears all agree Veterans Park is not feasible because of the DNR restrictions.
Council Member Kilian said the exact site should not be discussed tonight. Two different
sized site plans should be considered - the current site is tight and elevation and structured parking
are needed. It is more economical without structured parking but Heredia parkland would need to be
replaced at Veterans Park. Another plan could be a larger footprint without structured parking. The
current site with two different alternatives could be the path to begin.
Council Member Wroge said it is assumed structured parking is needed because an architect
who wants the job said to do it and presented that information to the City Council. He said he is not
giving in to structured parking because one person said so. Bloomington and Edina have
underground parking for police cars. He said underground parking of police vehicles is a positive
because the cars last longer and it saves on computer equipment. Bloomington and Edina do not
have structured parking and have two floors above the underground garage.
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May 30,2006
Council Member Wroge said nine or ten task force members did not decide on the City Hall
location - five people decide - the City Council. He said he did not vote at the site selection meeting
and participated in all except maybe three meetings in two years.
Council Member Wroge explained the background on how the task force reached their
recommendation. Location considerations included the taking of no more houses or businesses if
possible, and City staff said no potential development areas. The whole City was canvassed.
Council Member Wroge said the Comprehensive Plan may indicate 66th Street/Portland
Avenue as parkland or quasi-public but there's a reason the garage is not being built there.
Council Member Wroge said of the phone calls he has received regarding City Hall, none
have said build on a park or are against building a City Hall. The City Council conclusion is that a
new City Hall is needed. The discussions are all about where not to build City Hall.
Council Member Wroge said he has a problem with the timing of the financial discussion. He
said someone on the City Council did say Augsburg Park was a place to build and that's why it
appeared in the Richfield Sun.
Council Member Wroge said his biggest thing is the footprint; the concern regarding where's
everyone going to go during construction. He suggested building the new City Hall to the south of the
current building and then moving over when it's built. The area remaining on the block from City
Hall's staircase on the south is larger than the building's current footprint. If the only thing building on
the current site caused was parking in the neighborhood for 9 - 12 months during construction, a lot
of money would be saved and everyone would be a participant in the fact it gets built. Asking
employees to park at the Ice Arena lot would not be too much to ask since they end up benefiting
from a new City Hall.
Council Member Wroge said the task force has done their work and now a decision needs to
be made by the City Council, for or against. He said he doesn't think the City Council will be able to
reach a consensus if building is on parkland. The employees deserve a new City Hall.
Council Member Sandahl said she's hearing things that maybe could be consensus building -
two buildings designed for this current site; more of a one story with tuckunder garage but not multi-
story and one without structured parking. Then this can be returned to the public with options and
costs. She questioned if parkland can be replaced if a bigger, broader site is needed and some of
Heredia Park is lost. She said two homes will be lost, one already owned by the HRA. Heredia Park
includes playfeatures and a small ball field used by the neighbors not wanting to cross 66th Street so
there are impacts. No matter where City Hall is built, given what is being looked at now, each site will
take parkland - Heredia, Augsburg, Veterans Park.
Council Member Sandahl said she is hearing Augsburg Park is off the list. Two City Council
Members said no to Augsburg Park at the last Worksession and she is hearing one more agree so
the sites are down to two. She is hearing that a building be designed in two modes for this site and if
the Legion site becomes available, consider possibly doing City Hall there.
Council Member Wroge said if the City is forcing businesses on 77th Street and elsewhere to
go high-rise, high-density, multi-use, why wouldn't the City take the lead with a two-story building
instead of one story. He questioned if structured parking was necessary.
Council Member Sandahl stated because this is a single family neighborhood. Residents may
not like too high a building and neighborhood impacts need to be considered. Multiple choices need
to be reviewed.
Council Member Kilian said the facility needs to be to a neighborhood friendly scale.
Council Member Wroge said a two-story on this lot, back off the street would be no issue and
no influence on the neighborhood.
Council Member Sandahl said impacts need to be considered for both a lower scale facility
and a multi-story facility and alternatives need to be reviewed. She said it sounds like the City
Council is close to a consensus.
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May 30, 2006
Mayor Kirsch said the goal was to narrow down the choices and it looks like Augsburg Park is
off the list and two sites remain, the current site and Veterans Park. A consensus is trying to be
reached so the City Manager is able to prepare for a future City Council meeting where the City
Council will take a public vote.
Council Member Wroge said no decisions can be made tonight, a consensus is trying to be
reached now so decisions can be made at a City Council meeting.
Council Member Sandahl said at the previous Worksession, a good number of the City
Council did not want Augsburg Park on the list but wanted to reach agreement and it will come before
the City Council for a formal vote.
Council Member Rosenberg said she would not support any taking of Veterans or Augsburg
parkland. Financing concerns are always present and always a major piece of a project.
Council Member Rosenberg stated support to stay on the current site because the
neighborhood is used to it. The City Council can decide on the design for a one or two story building.
She expressed support for the task force and said the project should go forward.
Mayor Kirsch said he is hearing City Council has reached consensus to have two designs
developed for the current site.
Council Member Kilian said if something happens in the next two years, one design may fit at
the Legion site, which would not take parkland. He said that option should remain open. His concern
is that those two businesses should not become detrimental to park use.
Council Member Kilian said there are several million dollars in design differences. If City Hall
operates on site during construction he has a concern regarding parking in the neighborhood. The
two building designs could be the current property with zero Heredia parkland used and one where
whatever is needed of parkland at Heredia would be replaced probably at Veterans Park. The square
footage and more information per department are needed.
Council Member Sandahl said both designs need to include the square footage numbers and
features of a new City Hall. Key needs are public meeting space to serve a dual purpose for staff and
the public.
Council Member Wroge said he hoped Edina was used as an example. He said realistic
numbers are needed because he sees the possibility of intentionally not moving because the .
numbers are not realistic.
Council Member Wroge said he hoped they go to an architect like Edina used who has
already done a City Hall with Public Safety included so they've learned from any mistakes and have a
track record. It should be done economically but not driven by showing it wouldn't work here. If it
doesn't work here, he can live with that.
Council Member Sandahl said the typical parking needs should be determined.
City Manager Devich discussed the Request for Proposal (RFP) process which will go to the
architectural community and specifications will be carefully structured by the City Council. There are
limited expenditures and the City needs to stay within the ceiling but yet accomplish what is needed.
The City Council can select the architect for the project.
Mayor Kirsch said the City Council majority will decide on the architect.
Council Member Wroge asked about the task force's continued involvement.
City Manager Devich said the task force's involvement is a City Council policy decision.
Rick Jabs, Task Force Chair, stated the task force's objectives were to choose a site and
architect and recommend funding. He said the task force would be willing to help as much as
possible with the design based upon the knowledge of touring other facilities.
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May 30, 2006
Council Member Wroge said the City Council could at a future City Council meeting on the
task force's role to let them continue a little longer.
Council Member Sandahl said the task force could continue, instead of the City Council taking
over, but the City Council would have input on the RFP.
Council Member Wroge stated agreement with Council Member Sandahl.
Council Member Wroge said cost needs to be determined. Edina does not have a Fire Station
so Richfield's will cost more.
Council Member Kilian said that's the reason to look at alternatives, there could be several
million dollars difference.
Mayor Kirsch said City Hall needs to be built so it fits in the community.
Council Member Wroge suggested letting the audience ask questions.
The following persons addressed the City Council:
. Mary Ann Kelly-Wright, 6926 Wentworth Avenue - park use concerns, support of design
approach, determining needs assessment, concern regarding emergency vehicle use of
66th Street/Portland Avenue proposed roundabout.
Fire Services Director Sveum explained the design of the 66th Street/Portland Avenue
intersection is not an issue, but there is a preference to be on the south side of 66th Street because
of response times.
City Manager Devich stated the RFP process will include some standard specific screening
mechanism to make sure the architect selected is qualified to do the service. The selection will be
made by the City Council.
Council Member Kilian said the intersection configuration is not the concern, but being north of
the intersection puts the emergency runs through the intersection.
. James Fleming, 6345 Fifth Avenue - consider opening up parking on Portland Avenue,
not limit City Hall to one story, roundabout concerns related to public transportation.
. Jane Koenig, 6809 Wentworth Avenue - thanked City Council for not cutting into
parkland; discussed a petition to "Save Our Parks"; encouraged volunteers for park clean
up.
. Margaret (did not sign speakers' register) - consider architect with environmental
building experience.
. Ollie Hoffman, 6438 11th Avenue - thanked the City Council for not taking parkland for a
new City Hall.
Council Member Kilian said he thought it was safe to say people can relax. He said the net
result goal should be not one square foot less of parkland in Richfield at the end of this process.
. Debbie Goettel, 6525 James Avenue - thanked City Council for their consensus of
parkland support.
. Carol Propotnik, 6400 11th Avenue - questioned why Veterans Park is coming back for
consideration of a non-recreational use when the DNR says no. She said she hears
consensus to not lose parkland but no consensus to not build in Veterans Park.
Council Member Kilian said he does not envision anything for Veterans Park but two years is a
long time and there are always different kinds of alternatives and configurations. To make a promise
is a little irresponsible because he can't see into the future. If a larger building footprint looks better
and saves money, at least the City could buy the land at the Legion and add to Veterans Park. Laws
are made and changed all the time. The DNR restriction is a hurdle and there's no attempt to jump it
unless there is an extraordinarily significant situation, for example, an increase in costs.
Council Member Wrage stated he would not ever support making Veterans Park smaller no
matter what the cost.
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May 30, 2006
It m#2
City Manager Devich provided an update on recent preliminary staff discussions with the
Richfield School District regarding a proposed joint Community Center facility community survey.
Marlene Evenson, DLR Group, discussed a proposed Phase I & II community center facility
attached to the Richfield Middle School. The school district will repair the Middle School pool with
remaining funds for a joint facility. The school district's additional contribution would be the use of
school land and facility maintenance.
The City Council discussed the following:
. funding options of the City and School District
. continuing with conducting a community survey
. location related to public use
. parking issues
. preparation of survey questions
. obtaining feedback from other cities with joint facilities
The City Council was in general agreement to have them review survey questions to ensure
their concerns are addressed and proceed with the community survey to gather information
depending upon feedback from the other cities.
The following persons addressed the City Council:
. Camillo DeSantis, 6508 Newton Avenue - concern regarding the survey intent and
outcome, and past Community Center referendum failure.
. Rick Jabs, 6805 Knox Avenue - suggested the Community Services Commission
participate in the process.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:43 p.m.
~~
Cheryl Kr mhol
Recording Secretary
Date Approved: June 27, 2006