09-26-06 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
September 26, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:05 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Bill Kilian; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl; and Fred
Wroge.
Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Bruce
Palmborg, Community Development Director; TomFoley, Transportation
Engineer; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to City Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary.
Staff Present:
Item #1
Transportation Engineer Foley discussed the proposed layout for the Lyndale Avenue bridge
design at 1-494. It is hopeful a resolution of the design can be achieved with MnDOT and the City of
Bloomington.
Mr. Foley discussed the written comments received at the September 21 public open house.
Council Member Wroge asked about the plans to widen 1-494.
Mr. Foley explained the reconstruction in this area is planned for 2023. The new bridge
design will line up to the widened 1-494. The designs details related to Lyndale Avenue access are
postponed until after Thanksgiving.
Public Works Director Eastling stated the freeway widening is dependent upon funding
sources that may not be in place at that time. The bridge is taking care of local congestion issues
ahead of the 1-494 reconstruction.
Council Member Sandahl said the bridge is designed to meet the current traffic needs and
allows access to Lyndale Avenue.
Council Member Kilian stated the bridge design is a 90% solution to traffic issues, that if
reconstruction waits, the costs increase.
Mr. Foley discussed the adding of additional left turn lanes at 77th StreeULyndale Avenue.
Council Member Rosenberg stated the concerns regarding the Lyndale Avenue bridge are the
same as for the new Penn Avenue bridge and now that bridge is fine.
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September 26, 2006
Council Member Sandahl discussed the concerns raised by the Hampton Inn.
Mr. Foley explained the short-term access is retained and long term access is still to be
discussed.
Item #2
City Manager Devich stated the City Council requested a Worksession with some realtors to
discuss the marketability of homes in Richfield, specifically the east side between 17th Avenue and
Old Cedar Avenue.
Realtors Kevin Anderson, George Bodnia and Carolyn Engleking were present and invited to
participate in discussion.
Council Member Wroge stated he requested a meeting with realtors because a resident spoke
to the City Council regarding problems selling the homes on the east side because of their nearness
to the redevelopment area and airport noise. He was concerned some people may be sitting back to
wait for a buyout. He said he was told houses are selling in Richfield if they are properly priced and
maintained.
The three realtors discussed the Hennepin County sales analysis of the Cedar Corridor, the
abundance of homes on the market in east and west Richfield which gives buyers more negotiating
power, average time homes are on the active market, and choices and uncertainty the homeowners
have regarding selling and potential buyouts.
Council Member Kilian stated homeowners have concerns about the marketability affect of
their property in an area scheduled for redevelopment or adjacent to such an area. He added that
there can be a significant financial difference in walk away funds in a house sold by a realtor versus in
a buyout.
Council Member Wroge said the homeowner needs to determine whether it's worth staying or
selling. To a first time home buyer, these houses are affordable. If the homeowner wants to sell, a
qualified realtor should be used who knows the City and will explain the market and pricing.
Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko stated she has been contacted by east side
residents who have concerns that they will never get the true value of their property. She asked the
realtors about the buyer's reaction to the airport noise and if sellers need to price their homes lower
on the east side versus the west side.
The realtors discussed the east side market including some buyers not wanting to locate east
of 1-35W because of airport noise. Every home has "things" but if it's priced right, it will sell. The
price difference between east and west Richfield homes has always been an average of $10,000 less
on the east.
Council Member Kilian said the homeowner has choices but the closer a home is to a
redevelopment area, the harder the decision because of uncertainty and unknowns. It is important to
be as up front as possible.
Council Member Wroge said a problem could be that people who want a buyout may not know
the value of their home and should get an appraisal. They may think there is more money if they wait
but that may not be the case.
The City Council thanke9 the realtors for their participation in the discussion.
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September 26, 2006
The meellng was adjoumed by unanimous consent a~~~p,m, ) '
Date Approved: '..'il"""'ber l~. 2006 y )~
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Chery ~mhol
Recording Secretary