12-14-04 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
December 14,2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:33 p.m.
Council Members
Present:
Staff Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger (arrived
at 5:54 p.m.); and Sue Sandahl.
Steve Devich, Acting City Manager; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Mike
Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services
Director; Randy Hughes, Operations Superintendent; Bruce Nordquist,
Housing and Redevelopment Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording
Secretary.
Item #1
Public Works Director Eastling presented an update regarding the Richfield Maintenance
Facility (Clerk's File No. C-405).
. Purpose of Update
. Background, History & Need
. Maintenance Facility Task Force
. Next Steps
. Funding Estimates
Tom Rublein, representing the Fourth of July Committee and Richfield Band Boosters,
requested the City Council consider granting the school storage space for the band instruments'
trailer and Miss Richfield float in two parking stalls in the proposed facility.
Public Works Director Eastling stated the City's maintenance needs would be considered first
and then other community needs will be determined.
David Gepner, Task Force Chair, explained the current maintenance building structure is not
repairable and does not meet the City's needs. The airport side of Cedar Avenue appeared the
logical location.
Public Works Director Eastling stated maintenance costs at the current location are no more
than necessary but the needs are great.
Operations Superintendent Hughes added the current location does not store all City
equipment so various locations are used.
Special Worksession Minutes
-2-
December 14, 2004
Public Works Director Eastling explained the difference in acreage sizes.
(Council Member Enger arrived.)
Operations Superintendent Hughes said MnDOT has shown interest in sharing storage of salt
and sand.
Mayor Kirsch stated the biggest conc~rns at the CiJrreht locati<)n are s~fety and the lack of
adequacy.
Public Works Director Eastling said moving from the current location opens up the land to
other development. .
Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist explained the difficulty in speculating on
uses since it is a commercial corridor in a single-family area.
Council Member Sandahl expressed support for moving the garage and redeveloping the
current location to be more attractive to the neighbors.
Council Member Enger asked what was wrong with the current garage.
Public Works Director Eastling expl9ined the building is in need of major repair.
Operations Superintendent Hughes said the ventilation system doesn't meet code.
Public Works Director Eastling stated additional discussion will be at the January 7 City
Council goal setting session and again at the January 25 City Council meeting.
Council Member Enger asked about the cost of the land.
Public Works Director Eastling said the only cost is filing fees.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:08 p.m.
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Date Approved: January 11, 2005
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Recording Secretary