04-19-04 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Joint City Council/Richfield
School Board Meeting
April 19, 2004
The meeting was called to order by School Board Chair John Easterwood at 5:38 p.m.
Council Members
Present: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger;
and Sue Sandahl.
City Staff Present: Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director;
and Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City Manager/Acting City Clerk.
School Board
Members: John Easterwood, Chair; Nancy Rowley; David Lamberger; Todd
Nollenberger; Marc Jenkins; and Sandy Belkengren.
School Staff Present: Barbara Devlin, Superintendent; Jim Bradley; and Marlene Evenson
(DLR Group).
School Board Chair Easterwood welcomed everyone.
Mayor Kirsch stated that these types of joint City Council/School Board meetings are
important for a vital City and school system.
All members present introduced themselves and their respective roles in the Richfield
City/school community.
Council Member Sandahl spoke to the first item on the agenda, Community Outreach.
She spoke of the importance of getting residents without children more involved in the School
District and of promoting all of the good things already happening in the community. This ties in
with the Council's focus on promoting issues supportive of families in the community.
Council Member Rosenberg spoke of the two newest City commissions, the Arts and
Celebrations Commissions, and of incorporating the schools into their work.
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April 19, 2004
City Manager Orduno discussed specific ideas for working jointly on outreach including:
1) Making the current school district calendar a joint City/school calendar with shared
information; 2) Handing out school information to people who file homestead at the City; and 3)
Creating a web site based community calendar that would become a one-stop-shop for
residents. The Richfield Chamber of Commerce would also be included in this effort.
Superintendent Devlin discussed the School District's web site and that, unfortunately, it
only seems to be used by parents. She also discussed the opportunities for seniors to
volunteer and to receive free entrance to school events.
School Board Chair Easterwood encouraged City Manager Orduno and Superintendent
Devlin to continue to evaluate communication ideas.
DLR Group Principal Evenson introduced the second agenda item, A Possible
Comprehensive School District Facilities Study. With enrollment trends reducing, the district is
trying to assess the best use of its buildings. She gave examples of joint use efforts between
school districts and other entities in other communities and noted that a combination of usage
of facilities is a good use of tax dollars.
School Board Chair Easterwood stressed the need to be creative and he suggested
Central School could be torn down and a new community center built in its place.
Council Member Rosenberg talked about the new City Hall Task Force that's been
created because of health concerns, ADA issues and lack of adequate space at City Hall.
Council Member Sandahl agreed that the community needs a community center and
that the Central School location is centrally located in the community.
School Board Vice Chair Rowley asked the Council how broad a look at taxpayer
facilities should be done and what the City's needs are.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer mentioned the two recreational items under
study: a golf practice facility and improving Lincoln Fields for a possible girls' softball complex.
School Board Chair Easterwood asked if the City would like to participate in the facilities
study.
There was general discussion about the space needs of the City such as for meetings
and special functions.
Tom Rublein, Richfield resident and Chair of the City Hall Task Force, was asked to
briefly explain the directive for Task Force.
Mayor Kirsch requested that the possibility of sharing in the facilities study be a included
as a Council Worksession item.
School Board Director Lamberger said that the City might want to temporarily use
school facilities if City Hall was remodeled or replaced. He encouraged a long-range plan.
School Board Vice Chair Rowley said that the facilities study needed a timeframe for
study and follow through. The School Board is trying to decide how comprehensive a study to
undertake.
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April 19, 2004
Community Development DireGtorP~lmborgasked about including churches in the
study or discussion. .
Community Development Director Palmborg gave a brief summary of the City's current
redevelopment activities: Southdale Square, Aldi's, Penn Place, City Bella, Kensington Place,
and Cedar Avenue.
Superintendent Devlin spoke about the School District's completed technology planning
process and expressed thanks to Best Buy, Inc. for its technology contributions to the district.
Devlin also mentioned the 50th anniversary celebration of Richfield High School to be held from
October 11-16,2004.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said that City Council and School Board
Members would be receiving an invitation to Wood Lake Nature Center to see a demonstration
of its new technology - also from Best Buy, Inc.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:52 p.m.
~Q~
Martin J. Ki
Date Approved: April 27. 2004
p~~
Acting City Clerk