04-27-04 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
April 27, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:37 p.m.
Council Members
Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Gertrude Ulrich; and John Enger.
Council Members
Not Present:
Staff Present:
Susan Rosenberg; and Sue Sandahl.
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to City
Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1
City Manager Orduno stated the City Council has previously approved the expenditure for the
low frequency noise (LFN) study, but the study was delayed due to the Center for Excellence meeting
held on March 30 thinking it might be better to wait until the noise measurement criteria for the study
was established. However, the City not doing the study may be an opportunity lost.
City Manager Orduno explained that the City needs to now move forward with the LFN
baseline study ($60,000 is budgeted) and then budget for a post-runway study.
City Manager Orduno said the MAC does not want to use MSP as the airport of record for the
federal LFN'study because the noise issue is too controversial and the community may be biased.
City Manager Orduno distributed a letter from State Representatives Paul Thissen and Dan
Larson to Jeff Hamiel, MAC, regarding his comments at the Aviation subcommittee meeting regarding
the MAC's position that the LFN study currently being planned and undertaken by the FAA should not
be conducted at MSP.
Council Member Enger asked if Orfield Labs had contacted FAA or MIT.
City Manager Orduno explained Orfield believes the federal study is not similar to nor has the
same purpose as the City's study. The federal program appears to be a modeling exercise which
may be used by the FAA in the process of developing LFN. She added that Sandy Fidell, noise
expert previously used by the City, agrees.
City Manager Orduno stated Richfield and MSP are in a unique situation with homes so near
an airport. It was hoped the Center would do a baseline study but that is not the case. A baseline is
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April 27, 2004
needed to determine the LFN impacts. The City is being forced to pay for a study that is a federal
issue.
Council Member Enger asked if Orfield believes the City's study would stand up in a court
battle.
City Manager Orduno said Orfield believes the study would not be accepted by the FAA.
Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko stated Orfield is to still do the first phase of the
project to approach the FAA regarding standards of measurement and criteria so the City is putting
forth their best efforts.
City Manager Orduno said Orfield and FAA do not have adversarial roles as with the previous
noise consultant.
Mayor Kirsch said the federal noise study process may not bode well with Congressman
Sabo.
City Manager Orduno said Representatives Thissen and Larson are concerned and have
requested the MAC for their formal policy on the federal noise study.
Council Member Enger said before mitigative agreements were signed, MAC did their own
noise study and completed three years of a five year study. He said these studies could be used with
the City's two studies.
City Manager Orduno stated the City and MAC do not have an adversarial relationship, but it
is MAC's responsibility to abide by the 1996 agreement regarding adverse noise impacts around the
airport.
City Manager Orduno said the City could request a Freedom of Information Act for documents
from NWA to the FAA and the Center for Excellence regarding MSP not being used for any portion of
the noise study.
Council Member Ulrich said there is a need to be realistic and recognize all the forces at work
for all the affected parties including the economy.
City Manager Orduno stated even in the worst of times, negative impacts need to be worked
out and mitigated for the good of the whole region.
Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko said the comment by Mr. Hamiel at the committee
meeting was the first the City was aware of MAC's position. She explained factors to be considered
in moving forward with the City's study, including the uncertainty of the federal study involving MSP
and if, ultimately, the federal study would help Richfield.
City Manager Orduno said the City needs more information if MAC's position is not to have
MSP included in the federal study.
Council Member Enger stated Orfield appears to support the City's studies. He said Richfield
needs to conduct the studies.
City Manager Orduno stated Richfield may not be any better off after the federal study.
The City Council consensus was to proceed with the baseline and post-runway studies with no
delays and to pursue the Freedom of Information Act to disclose documents.
Item #2
City Manager Orduno explained the School District's Facilities Study was discussed at the
April 19 Special Concurrent City Council/School Board meeting and was again before the City Council
tonight at their request. The School District did not ask for City funding directly, but the City Council
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April 27, 2004
should determine the conditions the City may be interested in pursuing the study. It does not appear
feasible and prudent to use a school buiIciingf9rlong-term City Hall functions because of the need to
be on a main thoroughfare and the scho61s"arein residential areas. If City Hall is renovated, school
space could be used on a short-term lease.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer discussed recreation opportunities and the joint use
of school facilities, including gymnasiums, classrooms, pool, cafeteria and woodshop.
Mayor Kirsch said residential areas need to be protected but the more partnership
opportunities the better.
Council Member Ulrich asked about a rental or lease basis for recreational use.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said he envisioned a clear leasing policy with
scheduling the use of more prime time.
Council Member Ulrich stated hesitation of the City taking over ownership of school buildings
or renovation costs, but supported using the facilities cooperatively.
Mayor Kirsch agreed leasing was a better process than City ownership.
The City Council consensus was for staff to review the City and schools current capacity
usage and the City renting or leasing more prime time. They agreed the school buildings are not in a
location or the type suitable for a City Hall.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:24 p.m.
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Recording Secretary
Date Approved: Mav 11, 2004