04-13-04 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
April 13, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:35 p.m.
Staff Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; John Enger; and
Gertrude Ulrich.
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steve Devich, Administrative Services
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works
Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney.
Members Present:
No one was registered to speak.
Mayor Kirsch led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes of (1) Special Concurrent City Council and
HRA Worksession of March 15. 2004: (2) Special City Council Worksession of March 15. 2004:
and (3) ReQular City Council Meetino of March 23. 2004.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #1
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April 13, 2004
Phil Mortenson, Civil Service Commission President, reported on the commission's past
year's accomplishments. Civil Service Commission Member Marc Sullivan was also present.
The City Council thanked the commission for their efforts.
Item #2
Council Member Rosenberg announced that Richfield Beautiful is undertaking the City's
landscaping award program.
Council Member Rosenberg read a letter from a resident recognizing the positive efforts of
City staff - Police Officer Mike Koob, Public Works Workers Bob Casper and Doug Thoennes -
related to clean-up following a vehicle accident.
Council Member Sandahl announced the Richfield Parks Clean-Up Day on April 24. She also
discussed the Adopt-A-Park Program.
Council Member Ulrich announced that the Met Council's Transportation Advisory Committee
has created a new position related to non-motorized vehicles and Richfield resident David Gepner is
a member.
Council Member Ulrich discussed a recent Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial regarding
subsidies and LRT.
Item #3
City Manager Orduno reported on the March 30 meeting with MIT and Penn State
representatives regarding the LFN study. She said Steve Orfield would receive a copy of the follow-
up letter received from MIT Professor Clarke so he can provide feedback. A Worksession to discuss
proceeding with the LFN study will be held on April 27 at 5:30 p.m.
City Manager Orduno also reported on the April 12 meeting with Sharon Wagnor from
Congressman Sabo's office related to LFN and a tour of East Richfield.
City Manager Orduno stated Congressman Sabo has secured $7 million for the Lyndale
Avenue bridge reconstruction and the City of Bloomington has committed $4 million towards the
bridge.
Item #4
Mayor Kirsch amended the agenda to add Claims and Payroll.
MtRosenberg, StEnger to approve the aqenda as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #5
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April 13, 2004
A. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 6.
B. Approved resolution confirming City Manager's appointment of Larry Emond and Glenn
Erickson as resident members of 2004 Local Board of Equalization S.R. No. 60
RESOLUTION NO. 9450
A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING CITY MANAGER'S APPOINTMENT OF
TWO RESIDENT MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9450 in Resolution Book No. 75.
C. Approved resolution providing 24-hour parking restrictions on east side of Nicollet Avenue
from Sovereign Grace Fellowship Church's south driveway north to 71st Street S.R. No. 61
RESOLUTION NO. 9451
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HENNEPIN COUNTY TO INSTALL SIGNS RESTRICTING
PARKING ON THE EAST SIDE OF NICOLLET AVENUE FROM
THE SOVEREIGN GRACE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH'S SOUTH DRIVEWAY
NORTH TO 71ST STREET.
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9451 in Resolution Book No. 75.
D. Approved renewal of lawful gambling license for Fred Babcock VFW Post #5555, 6715
Lakeshore Drive, and resolution granting gambling activity S.R. No. 62
RESOLUTION NO. 9452
A RESOLUTION GRANTING APPROVAL FOR
FRED BABCOCK VFW POST#5555
TO CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9452 in Resolution Book No. 75.
E. Approved renewal of lawful gambling license for Minneapolis-Richfield American Legion Post
#435,6501 Portland Avenue, and resolution granting gambling activity S.R. No. 63
RESOLUTION NO. 9453
A RESOLUTION GRANTING APPROVAL FOR
MINNEAPOLIS-RICHFIELD AMERICAN LEGION POST #435
TO CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9453 in Resolution Book No. 75.
F. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 6.
Council Member Enger asked to remove Item 5A from the Consent Calendar and place it on
the regular agenda as Item 6A.
Council Member Sandahl asked to remove Item 5F so the applicant has an opportunity to
address the City Council.
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April 13, 2004
M/Sandahl, S/Enger to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #6
5A. Consideration of approval of first reading of ordinance amendment relating to
City Council salaries and schedule second reading for May 11, 2004 S.R. No. 59
Council Member Enger asked the City Council to withdraw this item from consideration and
take a pay freeze for 2004.
Mayor Kirsch stated this item addresses the salaries for 2005 and 2006.
Council Member Ulrich stated she did not agree with Council Member Enger, but
appreciated his intentions. Council Members across the entire State work hard with many hours.
She did not support backtracking in salaries after getting minimal monetary recognition.
M/Ulrich, S/Sandahl to approve the first readinq of the ordinance amendment relatinq to
City Council salaries and schedule the second readinq for Mav 11, 2004.
Council Member Sandahl stated agreement with Council Member Ulrich.
Council Member Enger asked for clarification that this item was for 2005 and 2006 salaries.
The City Council said yes.
Motion carried 5-0.
5F. Consideration of approval of denial of new taxi license for Country Taxi and
Limo, 1401 155th Street West, Burnsville S.R. No. 64
Council Member Sandahl asked Public Safety Director Scott for comments on this taxi
license request.
Public Safety Director Scott stated the applicant had multiple traffic violations and also was
not truthful on the application, which was found when the license check was conducted.
Bekema Mohamed, applicant, addressed the City Council to explain the violations and
inaccurate completion of the application.
Council Member Ulrich stated the City Council expects higher standards from taxi drivers
because they have others in their vehicle.
M/Sandahl, S/Rosenberg to deny the request for a new taxi license for Country Taxi and
Limo. 1401 155th Street West. Burnsville.
Council Member Sandahl stated she was uncomfortable with denying the license, but the
list of violations is a great concern.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #7
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April 13, 2004
Council Member Sandahl presented Staff Report No. 65 regarding a resolution approving
the 2004-2005 Labor Agreement bet\l\l,~~n.me.CitY()f.Richfield and 911 Dispatcher Local 225
Bargaining Unit. .
M/Sandahl, S/Rosenberg that the followina resolution be adopted. that it be spread in the
resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 9454
RESOLUTION APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENT BElWEEN THE
CITY OF RICHFIELD AND
911 DISPATCHERS, LOCAL 225
BARGAINING UNIT FOR THE YEARS 2004-2005
Council Member Enger asked about the training pay rate.
Administrative Services Director Devich explained this training is similar to FTO for police
officers - a new employee is placed with an experienced employee so he/she is doing their own
job plus training. There must be four hours of training to get the pay.
Council Member Enger asked what other bargaining and non-union units are not settled.
Administrative Services Director Devich stated mediation has concluded with Police
Officers and Detectives and a package will be going to them for a vote; Police Supervisors is in
mediation and Firefighters is not settled.
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9454 in Resolution Book No.
75.
Item #8
Council Member Rosenberg presented Staff Report No. 66 regarding consideration of a
new on-sale wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses for Pu'hket Thai Restaurant, 6345 Penn
Avenue (deferred from March 23,2004).
Sisaketh Chanthalakeo, applicant/co-owner, addressed the City Council regarding his
driving violations and that he completed all the related requirements of the court.
M/Rosenberg, S/Enger to approve the issuance of a new on-sale wine and 3.2 percent malt
Iiauor licenses for Pu'hket Thai Restaurant. 6345 Penn Avenue South.
Council Member Sandahl stated to Mr. Chanthalakeo that his background was of concern
because the City Council wants to ensure no inappropriate sales of alcohol are made.
Council Member Ulrich stated reluctance to support the licenses, but would do so with the
expectation the Public Safety Department will watch the establishment closely. She said she
would be willing to revoke the license if there was a problem.
Motion carried 5-0.
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April 13, 2004
Item #8A
M/Rosenberg, StEnger that the followinq claims and payrolls be approved:
RICHFIELD BANK & TRUST CO.
AlP Checks: 130889 - 131310
PAYROLL 37985 - 38087; 38089 - 38190
TOTAL
$ 1,375,959.03
$ 874,956.60
$ 2,250,915.63
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #9
Mayor Kirsch adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m. to continue with the Closed Executive
Session in the Executive Conference Room. The Mayor noted that the Council would reconvene in
the Council Chambers after the Closed Executive Session concluded.
Item #10
The Regular City Council Meeting reconvened at 8:52 p.m.
Item #11
Council Member Sandahl reported on the City Manager's annual performance evaluation.
M/Sandahl, S/Rosenberg to approve an addendum to the City of Richfield City Manaqer
employment aqreement dated Auqust 26. 1999 includinq the followinq amendments:
Section 19 (A) reqardinq residency. is hereby voided.
In lieu of an annual waqe adiustment for 2004. Employee will receive 62 hours of vacation leave.
retroactive to January 1. 2004.
It is recoqnized that the position of City Manaqer is a position that requires the Employee to be "on-
eall" 24/7.
Section 10. Automobile - is amended as follows:
Since the date of hire. it has been the understandinq that the Employer will not furnish Employee
with a City vehicle for the performance of Employee's official duties. Instead. Employer will pay
Employee $400 a month car allowance to reimburse Employee for the use of Employee's personal
Council Meeting Minutes
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April 13, 2004
vehicle in the performance of the Employee's official duties. The car allowance is an estimated
amount intended to reimburse Employee .forreasonable expenses that Employee will incur in
performance of official duties, and the allowance represents the Employer's full obliqation and
responsibility reqardinq provision of automobile transportation to Employee.
City Manager Orduno clarified that the automobile amendment is simply a housekeeping
item done at the request of the Auditor with no change in dollar value.
Council Member Sandahl stated the only increase is in vacation time and there is no
increase in salary.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Member Enger acknowledged the attendance of Nick Gerhardt, a University
Journalism student.
M/Enger, S/Rosenberg to recommend to Mr. Gerhardt's iournalism professor, that due to
Mr. Gerhardt's dedication and due diliqence, he be qiven extra credit for the story he is doinq on
the City Council meetinq.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Member Sandahl asked that the minutes reflect this motion and that Mr. Gerhardt
receive a copy of the minutes.
Item #12
Date Approved: April 27" 2004
The City Council meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent a
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Recording Secretary